Gaza Teachers Persevere on World Teachers' Day Amidst Devastation

Teachers in the Gaza Strip marked World Teachers' Day on October 5th amidst the ongoing Israeli "genocide," facing displacement, loss, and deteriorating security and economic conditions. They are striving to resume education within the ruins of destroyed schools, with "educational tents" serving as temporary replacements. In a video released by the Gaza Ministry of Education, teachers affirmed their commitment to "instilling hope in children until they raise this generation." They emphasized their role in caring for Palestinian children enduring the "genocide war" and serving as symbols of resilience.

The Palestinian Ministry of Education (Ramallah) reported on Sunday that Israel has killed over 800 teachers and injured more than 3,300 in Gaza and the West Bank since October 2023. A Gaza Ministry of Education report from September 16, 2026, stated that over 532 teachers in Gaza had been killed by July of that year. The same report indicated that the Israeli army had completely destroyed 59 government school buildings, 30 private school buildings, and 11 special education facilities.

The Gaza Center for Human Rights stated on September 6th that targeting teachers weakens the human capacity needed to sustain and rebuild the educational system. The center also reported that the "genocide" has disrupted the normal duties of 26,776 educational staff across government, UNRWA, and private schools, including 22,030 teachers. This disruption is attributed to repeated displacement, targeting, infrastructure collapse, and unsafe working conditions, which also strain the capacity of remaining staff.

A study published in the UK-based journal "Conflict and Health" on February 28, 2026, highlighted the "dual burdens" faced by teachers, who experience the same violence and trauma as the children they care for. The study noted teachers are more prone to burnout and emphasized the critical need for mental health support during wartime. Teachers in Gaza reported extreme exhaustion from ongoing traumatic events and losses, compounded by significant external pressures.

Compounding these issues are the dire economic conditions in Gaza, with many impoverished by the war. In April, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) noted that teachers not receiving salaries due to economic challenges and limited funding for incentives significantly impacts educational service quality and continuity. This has led to fewer available teachers, decreased motivation, and increased reliance on volunteers, undermining organized learning and emergency educational responses.

Since the war began, government employees in Gaza, including teachers, have received payments ranging from 800 to 1,000 shekels every two to three months. Teachers also face harsh living conditions, including residing in dilapidated tents and performing daily tasks manually. Despite these challenges, teachers began the new academic year in September, conducting classes from approximately 700 locations, many of which are tents. The Gaza Ministry of Education stated that Palestinian teachers are engaged in a "battle for existence" to protect the right to education under severe aggression and systematic targeting, transforming tents and displacement centers into vibrant classrooms.