Gaza Students Return to School Amidst Destruction After Three-Year Hiatus
Over half a million students in the Gaza Strip began their new academic year on Saturday, marking a return to education after a three-year interruption attributed to Israeli actions. The Ministry of Education and Higher Education described the conditions as "exceptional," with 700 sites prepared for in-person learning. Many students navigated through rubble to reach their educational locations, facing risks from ongoing Israeli attacks despite a ceasefire agreement in effect since October 10, 2025. The usual traditions of new school uniforms and supplies were absent for many, as economic hardship and loss of income during the war made purchasing these items impossible for most families.
The Ministry stated that the new academic year aims to bring hope back to children "learning amidst destruction," emphasizing that education remains a "space for life, dignity, and rebuilding the future." The resumption of classes includes government schools and those run by the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA), following a week after private and some other educational institutions began their terms.
Education will proceed through two tracks: in-person learning for students within Gaza able to attend, and online learning for those unable to attend physically or who are outside the Strip. The ministry confirmed that approximately 541,000 students can continue their education under these available arrangements, acknowledging the significant challenges ahead.
The Ministry characterized the current circumstances for students and teachers as "exceptional and unprecedented," noting that education has transformed from an internationally recognized right into a "difficult journey of resilience." The majority of school buildings have been destroyed, with remaining structures repurposed as shelters for displaced people, forcing educational activities into tents that lack basic facilities and are subject to extreme weather conditions.
Significant learning loss is a major concern, with three consecutive years of interrupted schooling leading to a widening knowledge gap and a decline in fundamental skills in reading, math, and science. The Ministry also highlighted the plight of injured students and those with disabilities, including the blind and deaf, whose specialized schools were destroyed, leaving them without adequate support or accessible learning environments. Furthermore, a large number of children suffer from deep psychological trauma and distress from the ongoing conflict, making psychological support as crucial as education itself.
The start of the academic year coincides with continued Israeli attacks, which have resulted in casualties among students. The Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor reported the death of a child, Mohammed Al-Zinati, from a targeted missile during a raid. As of July 15, the Ministry reported that over 20,000 students and 532 teachers had been killed, with 59 government and 30 private school buildings completely destroyed, along with 11 special education facilities. The academic year has seen a drastic reduction in schooling days and weekly lessons, and kindergarten education has been suspended, depriving young children of a fundamental entry point to learning. The article concludes by stating that since October 8, 2023, Israel has been committing genocide in Gaza, resulting in over 73,000 deaths, 174,000 injuries, and the destruction of 90% of the infrastructure.