In Gaza, 540,000 students return to class, often under tents
The 2026-2027 school year began on Saturday in temporary structures, as nearly all schools in Gaza are damaged. Families are also facing a significant increase in the cost of notebooks and supplies.
Hundreds of thousands of students resumed in-person classes in the Gaza Strip on Saturday for the first time in nearly three years. Approximately 540,000 students are expected to be accommodated this year, primarily in makeshift schools or temporary spaces supported by UNICEF.
The school year began on Saturday, September 19. In several areas, classes are being held under tents or in structures made of tarps, metal sheets, and wood. Some classrooms contain only a few mattresses and a blackboard, while former school buildings continue to house displaced families, according to Reuters.
Gaza’s educational authorities estimate that around 660,000 students have been deprived of regular in-person education during the war. A report published by UNICEF in the spring indicated that nearly 700,000 children aged 4 to 17 have missed almost three consecutive school years.
Just days before the school year began, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported that 359 temporary learning spaces were mobilized for the start of the academic year. UNICEF and other organizations are also supporting the establishment of provisional structures and the provision of educational materials.
However, the return to class is marked by a significant shortage of supplies. A stationery vendor quoted by Reuters stated that a notebook that previously cost three shekels is now selling for around fifteen shekels. He attributes this increase to reduced supplies and restrictions affecting imports into Gaza.
The Israeli agency COGAT, responsible for coordinating access to the Gaza Strip, did not respond to Reuters regarding these restrictions. Since the beginning of the conflict, Israel has claimed that Hamas uses schools for military purposes, an accusation rejected by the Palestinian movement.
The extent of the damage also limits the possibilities for a return to normal operations. According to UNICEF, more than 93% of schools require complete reconstruction or significant rehabilitation work, and approximately 81% have been directly affected.
For students who cannot access these sites or who have left Gaza, remote learning is expected to continue throughout the 2026-2027 academic year, according to educational officials cited by Reuters.
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