Resilience in Ruins: Hundreds of Thousands of Gaza's Children Resume Schooling in Temporary Tents
### A Fragile Return to the Classroom
In a poignant display of resilience amidst widespread devastation, hundreds of thousands of children across the Gaza Strip returned to face-to-face instruction on Saturday, September 19. For many, this marks the first time in nearly three years that they have had the opportunity to engage in a physical learning environment. However, the reality of this "return to school" is far from traditional. Instead of structured classrooms and organized campuses, students are gathering in dilapidated buildings, improvised shelters, and fragile tents that offer little protection from the elements.
### The Scale of Educational Collapse
The statistics painting the current state of Gaza's education system are staggering. According to data provided by UNICEF, approximately 98% of the region's schools have been either completely destroyed or severely damaged during the ongoing conflict. This systemic collapse has left roughly 660,000 students in a state of academic limbo, unable to access formal education or maintain a consistent learning schedule. The loss of infrastructure represents more than just a lack of walls and desks; it is a profound disruption of the childhood developmental cycle for an entire generation.
### Voices from the Dust
For the children returning to these makeshift hubs, the joy of learning is inextricably linked with the trauma of war. Mustafa, a young student from Khan Yunis, describes the moment as one of mixed emotions. Having been away from a classroom for three years, he views the start of the new academic year as a beacon of hope and success. Yet, his physical reality is bleak. Mustafa spends his school days sitting on the dirt floor of a poorly ventilated tent. He lacks the most basic necessities—proper footwear, notebooks, and pens—and carries the heavy emotional burden of having lost close friends to the violence.
Despite these hardships, Mustafa’s determination remains unshaken. "Despite the immense difficulties, we must learn; even if it is inside a tent, we will continue our studies," he remarked, embodying a spirit of defiance against the circumstances of his environment.
Similarly, 15-year-old Salmi, who currently resides in a tent with her family, highlights the stark economic divide between the pre-war era and the present. She recalls a time when school supplies, clothing, and leisure activities were affordable and easily accessible. Today, her family struggles to provide even the most rudimentary stationery, leaving her to navigate her education with almost nothing.
### Education Under Fire
While the drive to learn is strong, the psychological toll is immense. For 14-year-old Samra, the act of going to school is now fraught with anxiety. He contrasts the simple happiness of his past school mornings with the current climate of fear. In his makeshift classroom—which consists of little more than a tent exposed to the scorching sun and oppressive heat—the fear of stray bullets, rockets, and sudden airstrikes looms larger than the lessons being taught.
### Efforts toward Recovery
In response to this crisis, the Ministry of Education, bolstered by support from both international agencies and local organizations, has been working tirelessly to implement a plan for the 2026-2027 academic cycle. Lacking traditional materials, they have turned to whatever is available—using waterproof tarpaulins, scrap metal sheets, wood, and canvas to erect dozens of temporary learning centers.
Education officials, working in coordination with UNICEF, estimate that at least 540,000 students will be able to participate in offline courses through these improvised schools and temporary learning points. For those who remain displaced or have been forced to leave the Gaza Strip, the authorities are attempting to maintain a hybrid system, ensuring that online learning remains a viable alternative to prevent a complete academic blackout. While these measures are stopgap solutions, they represent a critical lifeline for children fighting to secure a future amidst the ruins.