The attacks launched by occupying Israel in the Gaza Strip have deeply shaken education life since October 7, 2023. In these difficult conditions, Palestinian university students Riham Abulkhayr, is trying to continue his education in a school where displaced people take shelter in Gaza’s Deyr al-Belah city. Abulhayr, who studies dentistry at Al-Azhar University in Palestine, attends lectures on his laptop in a crowded classroom.
According to data from the Palestinian Statistical Institute, in Gaza approximately 80,568While university students cannot enroll in educational institutions, a limited number of universities are trying to offer distance education opportunities. According to the Palestinian Ministry of Education, approximately 620,000students cannot go to their schools in Gaza, and the fate of some students is reported to be “unknown”. Educational institutions have become shelters for displaced people; Dozens of schools are home to thousands of displaced Palestinians who suffer from water and food shortages.
School: A New Refuge
In his statement to AA correspondent, Riham Ebulhayr stated that their first shelter was the school after the occupying Israeli army destroyed their houses in the Burayj Refugee Camp. Ebulhayr said, “We had a life, a home, but the army destroyed our home in early 2024. We were taught in schools that school was our second home. But now the school has become our first home.” he said
Stating that he lost his university books and everything related to his previous life as a result of the complete bombing of his house, Ebulhayr said, “Today, I have to finish my third year at university and start the fourth grade, but due to the war, I am still in the third grade.” he said
Difficult Conditions in Asylum Centers
Emphasizing that the conditions in the shelter centers are not suitable for the students, Ebulhayr stated that he tried to continue his education amid the tension brought by the Israeli attacks and the noise in the classroom environment. Ebulhayr, who is trying to adapt to these difficult conditions in order to get high marks in his field of specialization, said, “We must protect and continue education to fight against (Israel’s) attempts to render ignorant.” he said
Ebulhayr, who is looking for various ways to continue his distance education despite the limited opportunities available, said, “We are going through a difficult process. Once, when I took the exam, I had to change city and sit on the street to complete the exam because I did not have an internet connection.” he said
The Struggle to Protect Children from Illiteracy
Drawing attention to the damage caused by Israel’s attacks to educational institutions in Gaza, Abulhayr said, “We (students) must continue to learn without reserving a place to protect the educational process and complete our education.” he said Emphasizing that the new generation could not start the first grade of primary school due to the attacks, Ebulhayr stated that they made an effort to prevent the children from forgetting the information they had previously learned.
While Ebulhayr stated that it is not clear where they will live or where they will go, he asked for the Israeli attacks to be stopped as soon as possible in order to return to their previous lives. Palestinian Suheir Ebulhayr said, “Their lives are going in vain,” and noted that their lives have become nothing more than a school after the occupying Israeli army destroyed their homes.
Right to Education in Gaza
According to the statement made by the Media Office of the government in Gaza on August 26, the attacks carried out by Israel since October 7 122school and university completely, 334The school and university were partially destroyed. The United Nations (UN) Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) has been reporting 200reported that the school was closed.
UNRWA Commissioner General Philippe LazzariniIn his statement on September 2, he said, “There are people who are severely traumatized, deprived of education and living among the ruins in Gaza. 600,000“There is a child.” he said “Half of them were studying in UNRWA schools,” Lazzarini said. “The longer children are out of school, the greater the generation is lost.” He warned.
