In brief
In the aftermath of war, the reopening of schools in Gaza marks a critical step towards restoring childhood for thousands of children. With classrooms set up in tents, educators face overwhelming challenges but remain committed to their students' futures. The situation is exacerbated by limited resources and the psychological toll of conflict, but hope persists.
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. It was hit in January 2024, and for months afterwards, its grounds served as a shelter for displaced families. Today, it is again a place of learning - albeit in a more basic form.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. Of the Strip's 658,000 school-aged children, most have had no formal education for nearly two years. During that time, many learned first-hand how hunger, displacement and death can shape their young lives. Now, something rare is emerging: a fragile glimpse of the childhoods they once knew.Fourteen-year-old Naeem al-Asmaar used to attend this school before it was destroyed. He lost his mother in an Israeli air strike during the war. It was the hardest thing I've ever been through, he says quietly.Although he was displaced for months, Naeem's home in Gaza City survived. After the ceasefire, he returned with his family. I missed being in school a lot, Naeem said adding that the difference is stark. Before the war, school was in real classrooms. Now it's tents. We only study four subjects. There isn't enough space. The education is not the same - but being here matters. School fills all my time and I really needed that.The makeshift school is run by Unicef and brings together children from the original Lulwa school and others displaced by the war. It serves 1,100 boys and girls, operating in three shifts a day, with boys attending on alternating days from girls. However, there are just 24 teachers, and many children are struggling with trauma. A counsellor runs psychological support sessions, trying to help children process what they have endured.The school does not teach the full Palestinian curriculum - only the basics: Arabic, English, mathematics and science. The principal, Dr Mohammed Saeed Schheiber, has worked in education for 24 years and noted, We started with determination, to compensate students for what they lost. But educators and parents alike face challenges beyond the classroom. Huda Bassam al-Dasouki, a mother of five displaced from southern Rimal, describes the education situation as extremely difficult, citing skyrocketing costs of basic school supplies.Jonathan Crickx, a Unicef spokesman, points to the lack of essential educational materials and support, illustrating the ongoing struggles as children attempt to reclaim their education amidst a landscape of devastation. Despite these challenges, the determination among educators and students remains a beacon of hope in a tumultuous environment.
