GAZA: Hundreds of thousands of children in Gaza returned to in-person schooling on Saturday for the first time in nearly three years, attending classes in damaged buildings, temporary learning centres and makeshift tents amid severe shortages of basic educational supplies.
The return to classrooms marks a significant but fragile step for Gaza’s education system, where many schools have been destroyed or damaged during the war. The United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef) says 98% of schools in Gaza have been affected.
Education officials say around 660,000 students have been deprived of regular in-person education during the conflict.
The reopening comes after a war that, according to Ibrahim Ramadan, director of education for East Khan Younis, has killed around 22,000 students and more than 770 education workers, including 532 teachers.
Students return despite difficult conditions
For many children, returning to school has brought a sense of hope despite the harsh conditions.
Moayed Abu Mustafa, a student in Khan Younis, said it was the first time he had returned to school in three years. He said he remained determined to continue his education even though his classroom was a poorly ventilated tent and he lacked proper shoes, notebooks and pens.
Fifteen-year-old Samar Abu Salmi, who lives with her family in a tent, also returned to class.
She said students had previously relied on phones for their education and had been unable to see their teachers. She described the return to school as a chance to resume pursuing their dreams despite continuing to move from one tent to another.
Samar said basic supplies that were readily available and affordable before the war have now become difficult for her family to obtain.
Temporary schools set up across Gaza
The Ministry of Education, with support from international and local organisations, has moved ahead with the 2026-27 academic year by establishing dozens of temporary schools.
The facilities include structures made from tents, tarpaulins, sheet metal and wood. Some classrooms have been built on sandy ground and contain little more than mattresses and a blackboard, while other school buildings continue to shelter displaced families.
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Fourteen-year-old Yamen Abu Samra said children once looked forward to going to school but now face fear from stray bullets, rockets and airstrikes.
Education officials estimate that at least 540,000 students will attend in-person classes this year at makeshift schools, temporary learning centres and educational points with Unicef support.
Online education will continue for children who cannot attend classes or who left Gaza during the war.
Rising costs add to education challenges
Families are also struggling to afford school supplies as shortages and restrictions on imports drive up prices.
Stationery trader Khaled Aliyan said a notebook that previously cost three shekels now sells for 15 shekels, with other educational items also becoming increasingly expensive.
Israeli forces remain in control of more than 60% of Gaza despite last year’s ceasefire, according to the report. Palestinian authorities say more than 73,000 people have been killed in Israel’s assault on the territory.
Israel’s Cogat military agency, which controls access to Gaza, did not respond to a Reuters request for comment on restrictions affecting supplies or strikes on schools.
