The UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) reports that over 625,000 children in Gaza have been out of school for more than eight months.
According to a post on X, 300,000 of these children were UNRWA students before the conflict began.
https://twitter.com/UNRWA/status/1806595212661186995?s=19″Play and learning activities provided by UNRWA teams are critical in preparing children to return to school and reclaim their right to education,” the agency emphasized.
Last week, the Gaza Media Office highlighted that Israel’s prolonged offensive against the Gaza Strip has deprived at least 800,000 students of their education.
The Gaza Ministry of Education stated, “Over 800,000 students across various educational levels in the Gaza Strip have been denied their right to education since October 7 of last year, due to the ongoing war imposed by the Zionist occupation.”
Among those affected are 40,000 high school students who, due to the conflict, will be unable to participate in this year’s high school exams, jeopardizing their future prospects and chances of enrolling in higher education institutions locally and internationally.
While 50,000 students in the West Bank and Palestinian schools abroad attended their final high school exams last Saturday, the ongoing Israeli offensive prevented students in Gaza from doing the same.
The Gaza Media Office reported that 85% of educational facilities in Gaza are currently non-operational due to direct and targeted attacks, significantly hindering efforts to resume educational activities post-conflict.
The Office added that plans are in place to recover the academic year for students from elementary to higher education levels, ensuring they retain the essential knowledge and skills necessary for their continued education. (Inputs from agencies)