Mohammad Mosa, a 14-year-old resident of Gaza, had carried his laptop with him when he fled his home in October, hoping to continue his studies via Zoom amid the escalating airstrikes.
However, two months into the conflict, the reality is starkly different. Instead of attending classes, Mohammad has only learned how to bake bread over an open fire.
The relentless bombardment and a tight blockade have transformed civilian life in Gaza into a daily struggle for survival, and one of the tragic casualties is education.
Jonathan Crick, a spokesperson for Unicef in Jerusalem, highlighted the grim situation, stating, “There is absolutely no form of education or schooling in the Gaza Strip at the moment. The level of violence, ongoing hostilities, and intense bombing don’t allow for education.”
The impact on education in Gaza has gone relatively unnoticed amid urgent and overwhelming crises in the region. With over 7,700 children killed, thousands injured, and a severe lack of clean water, sanitation, and access to food, the humanitarian situation is dire.
The destruction caused by the conflict is extensive, with 352 school buildings damaged by mid-December, representing over 70% of the enclave’s education infrastructure.
Many remaining structures, including UNWRA schools and local authority-run schools, now serve as shelters, making it impossible to conduct lessons.
The toll on educators is equally devastating, with over 200 teachers killed and more than 500 injured. Survivors are scattered, facing displacement and a lack of basic resources.
The trauma, compounded by previous conflicts and the COVID-19 pandemic, casts a long shadow over the future of these children.
Even if a long-term ceasefire is reached, rebuilding the education system in Gaza will be a significant challenge. The shortage of classrooms, damaged teaching materials, and the emotional toll on students and educators will require extensive humanitarian efforts.
The immediate need for a lasting ceasefire is crucial to restoring normalcy and providing the necessary support for children in Gaza to resume their education.
The devastating impact on education is yet another tragic consequence of the ongoing conflict in the region, further darkening the prospects for the future of Gaza’s children.
The international community must prioritize humanitarian efforts to address the educational crisis and ensure a better future for the young generation in Gaza.
