Tuesday, September 22, 2026 - Hundreds of thousands of children in Gaza have returned to in-person classes for the first time in nearly three years, marking a significant but fragile restart of education amid widespread destruction.
The 2026–27 academic year is beginning with students gathering in damaged school buildings, temporary learning centres and tents. UNICEF says 98% of schools in Gaza have been destroyed or damaged, while education officials estimate that about 660,000 students have been deprived of regular classroom learning.
At least 540,000 students are expected to attend classes this year, according to education officials, with temporary schools built from tents, tarpaulins, sheet metal and wood helping to accommodate pupils.
Many students are returning without basic supplies, as notebooks, pens and uniforms have become unaffordable for numerous families. Online learning will continue for children who cannot attend classes in person or who have left Gaza.
The return to classrooms comes against a backdrop of continued displacement, damaged infrastructure and serious safety concerns. Students and teachers are attempting to rebuild a sense of normality despite studying in crowded and poorly equipped spaces.
For many children, the reopening represents more than a return to lessons—it is an opportunity to reconnect with teachers, classmates and an education system disrupted for years.
0 Comments