Gaza Students Begin New School Year Amidst Devastation and Loss
Over half a million students in the Gaza Strip are preparing to start a new academic year under severe conditions, following years of conflict that have claimed the lives of over 20,000 students and more than 532 teachers. Despite a ceasefire agreement reportedly reached for October 10, 2025, the article alleges continued Israeli aggression has resulted in the deaths of over 1,300 Palestinians, including students, with the most recent casualty being nine-year-old Wafa Akila, killed with her father in an Israeli bombing on Sunday.
The educational system in Gaza is struggling with the aftermath of the conflict, which has completely destroyed over 165 schools, universities, and educational institutions. For the third consecutive year, Palestinian students are deprived of regular education, with school days reduced to less than a third of their normal length. Schools have been transformed from sustainable learning environments into "temporary emergency stations," according to the Ministry of Education and Higher Education in Gaza.
A report released by the ministry on July 15 detailed extensive human and demographic depletion affecting students, teachers, and infrastructure. The new academic year is set to begin on September 16 with administrative and teaching staff returning, followed by students on September 19. Around 700 physical educational sites are being prepared to serve over half a million students, alongside 25 temporary schools, with virtual learning available for those unable to attend in person.
The report quantifies the losses, stating that over 20,051 school-aged students have been killed and over 19,886 have left the Strip. Additionally, 769 Ministry of Education employees and over 532 teachers from various institutions were martyred. Before the conflict, Gaza had 584 school buildings; the report indicates that 95% sustained damage, with many completely or partially destroyed. Thousands of desks, chairs, and writing boards were also destroyed.
The academic year has been drastically shortened, with the number of school days dropping from 200 in 2022-2023 to just 60 in 2025-2026, and weekly lessons reduced from 30 to 12. This represents a loss of two-thirds of the academic year, with cumulative educational loss amounting to 700 hours. The curriculum has been narrowed to four core subjects: Arabic, English, Mathematics, and Science, down from 8 to 12 subjects previously.
The early childhood education sector has also been severely impacted, with many kindergartens out of service. The psychological toll on students and teachers is profound, creating a "trauma-laden educational environment" characterized by anxiety, lack of motivation, attention deficits, behavioral issues, and difficulty re-establishing routines, described as a "prolonged psychological pressure."
