UNRWA resumes education for 300,000 students in Gaza after two-year disruption

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) announced on Saturday the resumption of education for around 300,000 Palestinian students in the Gaza Strip, after a two-year suspension caused by 'Israel’s' war on the enclave.

In a televised statement published on UNRWA’s official account on the platform X, agency spokesperson Adnan Abu Hasna said that “UNRWA has developed plans to restart education after two years of disruption.” He explained that “around 10,000 students will receive education in some shelter centers, while the remaining students will study through virtual learning.”

Abu Hasna said that approximately 8,000 teachers will take part in the educational process, stressing that “continuing to suspend education is no longer possible after years of war and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which left thousands of children in Gaza unable to read or write.”

Education in Gaza has been suspended since October 8, 2023, following the start of 'Israel’s' war on the Strip, which led to most UNRWA and government schools being turned into shelters, in addition to the complete or partial destruction of many educational facilities.

According to data from the Palestinian Ministry of Education as of September 16, 'Israel' destroyed 172 government schools in Gaza and damaged another 118, along with more than 100 UNRWA-run schools.

The ministry also reported that 'Israel’s' war killed 17,711 students and wounded 25,897 others. In addition, 763 school staff members were killed and 3,189 injured.

Abu Hasna said that 'Israel' “continues to block the entry of large quantities of aid belonging to UNRWA into the Gaza Strip,” noting that the agency is “ready to distribute food supplies and operate 22 main health clinics in the territory.”

He condemned 'Israel’s' obstruction of humanitarian operations, saying that “many essential supplies, including shelter materials, blankets, winter clothing, and medicines, are not being allowed into Gaza from the 'Israeli' side, worsening the humanitarian crisis.”

Abu Hasna added that “95 percent of Gaza’s population now depends on humanitarian aid after losing their sources of income.”

He warned that “the situation is deteriorating dangerously, with hundreds of thousands of displaced people living in the open after returning to Gaza City following the entry into force of the ceasefire agreement on October 10.”

Abu Hasna concluded by emphasizing that “allowing humanitarian aid into Gaza is now an urgent necessity ahead of the winter season.”