Gaza schools reopen for in‑person classes after nearly three years of war

Hundreds of thousands of children in Gaza returned to in-person instruction on September 19, marking the first time students have attended classes in school buildings or makeshift facilities in nearly three years. The resumption of education follows a prolonged period of disruption that has left approximately 660,000 students without regular access to schooling.

The return to learning takes place under difficult conditions, as 98 percent of Gaza’s schools have been either destroyed or damaged during the ongoing conflict. Many students are now attending classes in tents or damaged structures that lack basic amenities such as proper ventilation. Furthermore, many families are unable to afford essential supplies, including uniforms, notebooks, and pens, with some students attending without adequate footwear.

The conflict has had a severe impact on the educational community. According to Ibrahim Ramadan, the director of education for East Khan Younis, the war has resulted in the deaths of approximately 22,000 students and more than 770 education workers, including 532 teachers.

Despite these significant challenges, many students have expressed a strong determination to continue their education. For those who have spent years away from the classroom, the return to school is viewed as a milestone. Students living in displacement tents have noted that they are eager to engage with teachers in person after relying on limited remote learning methods, such as studying via mobile phones, during the hiatus.

The reopening of these educational spaces represents a fragile attempt to restore normalcy to the region. As the school year begins, the focus remains on the resilience of students who are committed to learning despite the lack of resources and the loss of friends and peers during the war.