Gaza's Education System in Ruins, Teachers and Students Face Devastating Losses

The education system in Gaza has been decimated, with over 20,500 students and university students killed since October 2023, according to Palestinian Ministry of Education data. Many schools have been destroyed or severely damaged, with 163 educational institutions completely ruined. Teachers and students describe dire conditions in makeshift tent classrooms, lacking basic facilities and exposed to extreme weather. The prolonged conflict has led to significant learning loss, with some students unable to read or write, and a generation facing severe psychological trauma and educational deficits.

Teachers like Ahlam Kirella and Rima Shukir report that the tent environments are "devastating," making concentration nearly impossible due to heat, lack of water, and the constant reminder of the ongoing conflict. Students, such as 12-year-old Rowan Al-Sar, attend classes in overcrowded tents for a nominal fee, but the conditions are far from ideal, with children sitting on the floor and struggling to learn. The educational disruption has forced many into roles they are not prepared for, with one student, Ibrahim Ashour, feeling like he has become a "donkey" due to the responsibilities he carries alongside his interrupted schooling.

The loss extends beyond academic progress, encompassing profound psychological impacts. Psychologists like Palestine Yassin note that children exhibit signs of anxiety, depression, and aggression, exacerbated by the daily struggle for basic necessities like water and food. The lack of a safe, stable learning environment, which schools traditionally provide, further compounds their trauma. While tent classrooms offer a semblance of routine, they are seen as a temporary, inadequate solution to a crisis that threatens the future intellectual and cultural recovery of Gaza.

Many educators fear that the current situation amounts to "scholasticide," a deliberate effort to destroy Gaza's educational infrastructure. The long-term consequences of this educational collapse are a major concern, with fears that an entire generation could be lost if these issues are not addressed. Teachers are shifting from standard curriculum instruction to teaching basic literacy, a task that highlights the depth of the educational crisis and the potential for irreversible damage to future generations.