More than 600,000 Gaza students being denied learning opportunities

The announcement by the Palestinian Ministry of Education comes a day before the new school year begins.

“The Israeli onslaught on Gaza has killed or injured more than 25,000 children, including 10,000 students. It has also destroyed 90 percent of the 307 public school buildings,” the ministry said in a statement, Al Jazeera reported.

“Access to education is a right, so despite the bombardment, the ministry is trying to launch e-learning opportunities or to even provide classes inside tents.”

Meanwhile, UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini has underscored the significance of education and that children must be safeguarded in schools.

According to Palestine’s Education Ministry, more than 630,000 students have been denied their right to education in Gaza and will not be returning to school, as the ongoing Israeli genocidal war on the territory disrupts schooling for a second year.

The ministry noted that 58,000 students were supposed to join the first grade and start school on Monday, but they couldn’t as a result of the Israeli bombardment campaign.

At least 39,000 students were unable to take their high school exams, it said, adding that more than 25,000 children, including over 10,000 students, have been killed or wounded in Israeli attacks.

The Palestinian Education Ministry further highlighted that some 90 percent of 307 public school buildings have been destroyed.

Out of Gaza’s 2.2 million population, approximately 700,000 children and young people were enrolled in schools and universities in 2023.

As part of its educational response in Gaza, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) launched the Back to Learning program on August 1.

The first phase included psychosocial support activities, focusing on arts, music and sports, and raising awareness of the risks posed by explosive ordnance.

In the second phase, the focus has shifted to informal learning activities, which include lessons in reading, writing and mathematics.