Hundreds of thousands of children in Gaza have gone back to in-person education after nearly three years away. They study in damaged school buildings and in tents. Basic supplies are scarce. The education ministry moved ahead with the 2026-27 academic year with support from international and local organisations. Dozens of temporary schools were built from tents, tarpaulins, sheet metal and wood. Scroll the article to get complete details.
A New Year Begins on September 19
The new academic year began on September 19, 2026. Students gathered at learning centres supported by UNICEF and other groups. The United Nations said preparations included 359 temporary learning spaces across Gaza. UNICEF reports that 90 per cent of schools in Gaza were destroyed or damaged during the war. Gaza education officials say about 660 thousand students lost in-person learning and regular education. At least 540 thousand students are expected to attend classes this year in makeshift private schools, temporary learning centres and educational points. Online learning will continue for those who cannot attend or who left Gaza during the war.
Children Speak About Fear and Hope
Student Moayed Abu Mustafa said his last day at school was three years ago. He called this a year of joy, happiness and success. He said students will keep learning even in a tent. He has no decent shoes and no notebook or pen and he lost friends in the war. Fifteen-year-old displaced student Samar Abu Salmi lives with her family in a tent. She said they studied on phones and never saw their teachers. Now they are back chasing their dream from one tent to another. Another student Yamen Abu Samra said children used to wake up happy to go to school. Now they fear stray bullets, rockets and strikes. He said he sits in a tent that has nothing but sun and heat. Education director for East Khan Younis Ibrahim Ramadan said the conflict killed around 22 thousand students and more than 770 education workers. That number includes 532 teachers. Before the war she said everything was available such as notebooks, pens, goods , clothes and outings. The lesson goes on inside a tent.
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