Young and old struggle to get their studies back on track in Gaza | Israel-Palestine conflict
Nuseirat, Gaza Strip – In a makeshift tent, Nibal Abu Armana, a mother of six, is teaching her seven-year-old son, Mohammed, the basics of literacy and numbers. With only a battery-powered LED lamp to illuminate their space, the learning sessions are challenging yet essential.
Nibal, 38, describes the difficulties of educating her children amidst ongoing conflict. “After two hours, our eyes are exhausted,” she said, mirroring the plight of countless families in Gaza who are living in temporary shelters. The region has been in turmoil for over two years, with more than 70,000 Palestinians reported killed due to the violent conflict.
The majority of schools in Gaza have sustained significant damage or destruction. As a result, many structures that remain are being repurposed as shelters for displaced families. Since the escalation of hostilities began in October 2023, students have largely been deprived of formal education.
“My children used to have a routine before the war,” Nibal explained. “Now, their days revolve around basic survival—finding water, meals from charity kitchens, and materials for cooking and warmth.” This shift has drastically reduced the time available for study.
Originally from the Bureij refugee camp, Nibal now resides in Nuseirat. She noted that her children faced significant challenges when educational opportunities vanished at the war’s outset. Although conditions have somewhat improved, many older children are reluctant to resume their studies.
“My eldest son, Hamza, is 16 years old and has lost interest in education,” Nibal said, emphasizing his new role as a breadwinner, helping his father carry aid supplies instead of focusing on his studies.
Meanwhile, Nibal’s second son, 15-year-old Huzaifa, remains eager to learn but voices concerns about the time lost during the conflict. Currently, he attends classes in a makeshift tent, where he experiences discomfort from sitting on the ground for long periods.
Attacks on Education
Since the onset of the conflict, over 745,000 students have been displaced from formal schooling, including 88,000 higher education students. According to UNESCO satellite assessments, more than 95% of schools require significant rehabilitation, while 79% of higher education campuses and 60% of vocational training centers are also heavily affected.
Ahmad al-Turk, dean of public relations at the Islamic University of Gaza, asserted that the attacks on educational institutions have long-term implications. “Targeting educators impedes future generations, as their expertise contributes significantly to student achievement,” he said.
Raed Salha, a professor at the Islamic University, echoed these concerns, emphasizing the irreplaceable nature of academic expertise and the detrimental effects of its loss on institutions and society.
Many families face additional barriers to online education, including financial constraints for electronic devices and unreliable internet access. “Teachers are trying to teach; students are trying to follow, but resources are almost nonexistent,” Salha noted.
University Challenges
Osama Zimmo, a 20-year-old civil engineering student, described the difficulty of adapting to online learning during the pandemic. He initially enrolled in computer systems engineering but found it challenging to continue due to inadequate technology and uncertainty amid the ongoing conflict.
In response, Osama switched majors to civil engineering, allowing him to rely less on demanding resources. “It was a choice to continue rather than stop; to adapt rather than give in,” he stated upon the Islamic University’s resumption of in-person classes in December.
Osama and his peers are determined to pursue their education despite the challenges, signifying a resilience that persists in the face of adversity across Gaza.
