Gaza children face two years of lost education due to ongoing conflict
- Since the outbreak of war in October 2023, schools in Gaza have been closed or used as shelters, severely affecting children's access to education.
- UNICEF estimates that over 650,000 children in Gaza have had two years without formal schooling due to the ongoing conflict.
- The long-term implications of this disruption could leave a generation of children in Gaza with diminished educational opportunities and heightened psychological stress.
The ongoing conflict in Gaza, which escalated in October 2023, has severely impacted education for children in the region. With schools closing due to bombings and being repurposed as shelters for displaced families, over 650,000 students have faced disruptions in their education. The U.N. children's agency, UNICEF, has noted that the war has left countless children without access to schools, and this disruption has continued for two consecutive years. As a result, most students struggle with the loss of social and educational opportunities that schools typically provide. In the aftermath of the conflict, many families have been displaced numerous times. Young students, including those with aspirations to study medicine or other fields, have had to abandon their dreams amid widespread destruction. The lack of educational infrastructure has compounded existing issues, with children grappling with trauma and anxiety due to the violence surrounding them. With schools in ruins, it is unclear how and when the educational landscape can be rebuilt in the region. Efforts to maintain education through online learning have been hampered by the absence of reliable electricity and internet access. The residents of Gaza have resorted to using solar panels or generators for charging devices. However, the logistical challenges have made it difficult for families to find solutions for continuing their education independently. Even during short ceasefire periods, such as one in early 2024, the available learning spaces were insufficient to meet the needs of the displaced children, highlighting the severe strain placed on educational resources. The consequences of this educational disruption may persist long-term, with many children trapped in a cycle of fear and instability. As one displaced student lamented, her once-bright dreams have been overshadowed by the chaos surrounding her life. Schools may take years to reconstruct, leaving a generation in Gaza with substantial losses from their formative years educationally, socially, and emotionally. Without immediate and significant investment in rebuilding schools and restoring educational services, the future of these young Palestinians remains bleak.