How are children in Gaza attending school amidst the Israeli war?

Children in Gaza are attending school in makeshift tent schools located precariously close to Israeli military operations due to widespread destruction of educational infrastructure.

What is the condition of schools in Gaza according to UNICEF?

UNICEF reports that 98 percent of all schools in Gaza have suffered varying degrees of damage, with 88 percent requiring comprehensive rehabilitation or complete reconstruction.

What challenges does UNICEF face in providing educational support in Gaza?

UNICEF faces significant challenges, including a severe blockade on the entry of learning materials and the need to address psychological trauma among children affected by the war.

Home / War and Conflict / Gaza Children Learn Amidst Gunfire in Tent Schools

Gaza Children Learn Amidst Gunfire in Tent Schools

6 Jan

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Summary

Makeshift tent schools operate perilously close to Israeli forces.
98% of Gaza's schools damaged; 88% need reconstruction.
UNICEF struggles to import essential learning materials for children.

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.