Gaza Children Learn Amidst Gunfire in Tent Schools

In the shadow of ongoing conflict, children in Gaza are attending classes in tents, a stark symbol of the collapsed education system. These makeshift schools operate perilously close to Israeli forces, with students and teachers enduring daily interruptions from gunfire and shelling. Mothers bravely escort their children, driven by a fierce determination for them to learn despite the profound risks.

The war has rendered nearly all of Gaza's educational facilities unusable, with 98% suffering damage and 88% requiring extensive repair or complete rebuilding. UNICEF reports that approximately 638,000 school-aged children and 70,000 kindergarteners have lost two academic years, facing a third year of severe deprivation. Developmental regressions, including speech difficulties, are increasingly observed.

Logistical challenges are immense, as virtually no learning materials have entered Gaza since October 2023. UNICEF's efforts to launch a "Back to Learning" campaign depend heavily on Israel lifting restrictions to allow essential supplies. The agency emphasizes that education is crucial for repairing children's psyches, but access remains critically dependent on international cooperation.