DaysofPal — The Ministry of Education and Higher Education in Gaza said the ongoing Israeli genocidal war has inflicted unprecedented structural damage on the territory’s education sector, warning of severe and widening learning loss among students.
In a report released Thursday covering the period from 2023 to 2026, the ministry said the impact of the Israeli genocidal war extends far beyond temporary school closures, describing it as a systemic disruption affecting infrastructure, educators, students, and the continuity of the entire education system.
“The Israeli war has imposed a new reality on the education sector,” the report said, citing widespread destruction, mass displacement, and prolonged instability that have sharply reduced the operational capacity of schools and placed significant strain on both teachers and students.
According to the report, extensive damage to school buildings and administrative facilities has rendered many institutions inoperable.
Others have lost essential resources, including furniture, equipment, and technological systems, complicating efforts to resume formal education.
The ministry said the suspension of regular schooling, the conversion of many schools into shelters, and disruptions to online learning have significantly widened learning gaps, particularly among younger students in foundational stages.
It also reported a decline in key support services, including counseling, special education, and vocational training, alongside a near-collapse of early childhood education, increasing the vulnerability of already at-risk groups.
The report highlighted the cumulative psychological and behavioral impact of the war on students and teachers, stressing that recovery will require comprehensive psychosocial support alongside the reconstruction of schools and rehabilitation of the learning environment.
The ministry said it has implemented emergency measures in coordination with partners, including the establishment of temporary learning spaces, field schools, and the distribution of educational materials to maintain a minimum level of continuity.
However, it emphasized that these steps are short-term solutions that cannot substitute for a safe, inclusive, and sustainable education system.
The report called for a shift from emergency response to long-term recovery and reconstruction, urging the development of a comprehensive plan to restore access to education and ensure a stable learning environment.
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