Gaza Students Return to Learning in Tents Amidst War's Devastation

The new academic year in Gaza has begun under dire circumstances, with journalists reporting that most educational institutions have been destroyed. Children are now attending classes in tents and on sandy floors, lacking basic school furniture and supplies. The usual festive atmosphere associated with the start of the school year, including new uniforms, backpacks, and stationery, is absent, with one reporter describing the joy of returning to school as "100% diminished."

Significant educational gaps have emerged, particularly for younger students who have lost nearly three years of formal schooling. According to UNICEF, approximately 700,000 school-aged children in Gaza have been deprived of consistent education. Access to in-person learning remains severely limited due to widespread school destruction, a lack of safe spaces, and insufficient resources.

While educational points are being staffed by teachers, many educators have been killed during the conflict. Families face severe economic hardship, struggling to afford school supplies amidst rising prices and high unemployment. The psychological impact of the war and prolonged absence from school is a major concern, with children remembering lost classmates and classmates.

Conditions are expected to worsen with the approaching winter. UNICEF has launched a "Back to Learning" program to provide temporary educational opportunities, and the Palestinian Ministry of Education has prepared around 700 temporary educational sites for nearly half a million students. However, there is criticism that the return to school feels more like a relief effort than a true educational experience, with calls for providing supplies that restore a sense of normalcy and joy to students.