Gaza children return to school amidst ongoing disruption
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Rana Totah accompanied her sons to school in Gaza City, marking a return to routine after nearly three years of war and displacement following Israel’s war on Gaza beginning in October 2023.
Totah, displaced from Zeitoun neighbourhood, prepared her children for their first day of in-person learning, hoping to restore a sense of normalcy to family life. Many schools have been destroyed or damaged, forcing the Gaza Municipality to set up temporary classrooms in tents.
Parents and teachers faced challenges keeping children educated during the conflict, with survival needs often taking precedence over studies. While some students participated in volunteer-led initiatives or virtual learning, consistent education proved difficult. The Palestinian Ministry of Education and Higher Education reported approximately 541,000 students returned to education on September 19, following a decrease in violence after a ceasefire in October 2025. Despite the ceasefire, Israeli bombing continues to threaten the learning environment.
UNICEF reported that nearly 98 percent of school buildings in Gaza sustained damage since October 2023, and around 700,000 children missed almost three years of formal schooling. Teachers like Nesma Nahid Abu Asim are working with limited resources, holding classes in tents and relying on aid for basic supplies, but remain committed to providing children with their right to education.
