In Gaza City, the sound of children learning can be heard once again. The tents that now serve as classrooms are noisy and a little chaotic but lively. Some teachers point to boards covered in English letters; others invite pupils to come forward and write basic Arabic words.
It is nowhere near a normal school day. But after the Israel-Hamas ceasefire in October, it's a start. After two years of war, the hum of lessons and chatter of classmates resonates around the ruins of what was once Lulwa Abdel Wahab al-Qatami School, in the Tel al-Hawa neighbourhood in the south-western part of Gaza City.
Walking in a straight line, their small arms resting on each other's shoulders, pupils smile as they head into the makeshift classrooms. For many, this is the first return to routine and education since the war began. According to UNICEF, more than 97% of schools in Gaza were damaged or destroyed during the war.
The IDF has made repeated claims that Hamas uses civilian infrastructure, including schools, to carry out operations but has rarely provided solid evidence. Of the Strip's 658,000 school-aged children, most have had no formal education for nearly two years.
Fourteen-year-old Naeem al-Asmaar, who lost his mother in an Israeli airstrike, describes the stark contrast of his education now versus before the war. Despite significant trauma and loss, Naeem reflects on the importance of being back in school with his peers.
Dr. Mohammed Saeed Schheiber, who oversees the temporary school run by UNICEF, emphasizes that even though educational essentials are lacking, the drive to learn remains strong among students. With a limited curriculum and psychological support programs initiated due to the trauma faced by students, the return to schooling is a crucial step in addressing the gaps created by war.
While the re-establishment of education signals a flicker of hope, the challenges persist as families struggle to provide basic supplies, facing both financial and logistical hurdles to ensure their children can attend classes. For these children and their families, education remains a beacon of hope amid ongoing crises.
It is nowhere near a normal school day. But after the Israel-Hamas ceasefire in October, it's a start. After two years of war, the hum of lessons and chatter of classmates resonates around the ruins of what was once Lulwa Abdel Wahab al-Qatami School, in the Tel al-Hawa neighbourhood in the south-western part of Gaza City.
Walking in a straight line, their small arms resting on each other's shoulders, pupils smile as they head into the makeshift classrooms. For many, this is the first return to routine and education since the war began. According to UNICEF, more than 97% of schools in Gaza were damaged or destroyed during the war.
The IDF has made repeated claims that Hamas uses civilian infrastructure, including schools, to carry out operations but has rarely provided solid evidence. Of the Strip's 658,000 school-aged children, most have had no formal education for nearly two years.
Fourteen-year-old Naeem al-Asmaar, who lost his mother in an Israeli airstrike, describes the stark contrast of his education now versus before the war. Despite significant trauma and loss, Naeem reflects on the importance of being back in school with his peers.
Dr. Mohammed Saeed Schheiber, who oversees the temporary school run by UNICEF, emphasizes that even though educational essentials are lacking, the drive to learn remains strong among students. With a limited curriculum and psychological support programs initiated due to the trauma faced by students, the return to schooling is a crucial step in addressing the gaps created by war.
While the re-establishment of education signals a flicker of hope, the challenges persist as families struggle to provide basic supplies, facing both financial and logistical hurdles to ensure their children can attend classes. For these children and their families, education remains a beacon of hope amid ongoing crises.
