Gaza’s children begin new school year after 15 months of war

After two years, students in Gaza are now beginning a new school year following the ceasefire that paused Israel’s war on the Strip.

Following the outbreak of the assault, Gaza’s education came to a two-year halt, leaving over 625,000 children not able to attend school. On Monday, Gaza’s children will finally begin a new school year.

“We no longer have school uniforms, but that will not stop us from learning. We want to build our future even if our schools are destroyed,” tenth-grade student Mahmoud Bashir told The New Arab.

“I remember the day I returned to school, I saw my classmates who had gone through bitter experiences, some of them lost their families, others had their homes damaged. But they are all here, sitting in the destroyed classrooms, insisting that nothing can stop them.”

Bashir sees education as an essential tool for change and will not stop being optimistic despite the harsh conditions.

“Education is the only way to survive, not only from the circumstances, but from the ignorance that the occupation seeks to impose on us,” he adds.

“Yes, there is a shortage of books and facilities, but nothing can stop us from moving forward.”

All Gazans, including children, were uprooted from their homes, fleeing Israeli assault or being expelled.

Twelve-year-old Reem al-Shaer was forced to live in a school that had been turned into a shelter, sitting in the classroom of a building where the walls barely retained their identity.

“Now I sit in my classroom among the broken seats, but I was happy because I returned to learning and seeing my friends again,” al-Shaer tells The New Arab.

Having lost her home and school, the eighth grader says returning to school was a turning point.

“Everything here is broken, the glass, the books, the tables, but I found in it a new hope,” Al-Shaer says.

“There is something strange about being in a place that was destroyed by war, but it keeps trying to resist. We are here, trying to rebuild everything from scratch, and this requires strength and will.”

The student says that despite all the destruction, she still views education as an indispensable goal, wanting to be a part of rebuilding Gaza and contributing to the progress of Palestinians.

“Education is all I have now, and I know that it will never disappoint me,” al-Shaer adds.

Many parents will be sending their children back to school, including Mohammed al-Raqab, who has five children of schooling age.

The father of seven admits that the start of the school year was “very difficult” for them as a family, especially given the “deteriorating situation” in the enclave, but he could not see his children not fulfilling their wish of returning to education.

“Many homes were destroyed, and we as families lack many basic things, including school uniforms and educational supplies,” al-Raqab tells The New Arab.

“Despite everything, I could not see my children give up on their dream of education, as they consider education their only hope for building their future, and that is why we tried with all our strength to help them return to school.”

The parent adds that Gaza’s children are not living a normal life, in constant fear of airstrikes and with a lack of security everywhere. 

“Many of them suffer from psychological disorders, especially after some of them lost their families or their homes were destroyed, but what distinguishes these children is that they do not stop hoping,” al-Raqab says.

“My children always asked me when they would go back to school, because they want to learn and be good for their community.”

Gaza’s Education Ministry said students will attend classes at institutions “at schools that are still standing, have been renovated and equipped” or through alternative schooling and education points made in the Strip.

For students unable to attend, the ministry said it is looking to provide online courses so they can continue their education.

Israel’s war on Gaza has destroyed 1,166 educational establishments, rendering 85 percent of schools inoperable and causing damage of over $2 billion.

At the same time, out of the over 61,000 Palestinians killed since October 2023, 12,800 students have been killed, along with 800 teachers, Gaza’s media office revealed.