oPt: Humanitarian Organizations Call for Urgent Rehabilitation of Gaza Schools Ahead of the September School Year

Country: occupied Palestinian territory Source: Life for Relief and Development -Tasneem Elridi- Gaza Strip is facing one of the world’s worst education crises following the widespread destruction of its educational infrastructure since October 2023. According to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), approximately 700, 000 children between the ages of 4 and 17 have been deprived of their right to education. Nearly 98% of school buildings have sustained varying degrees of damage, with more than 93% requiring either major rehabilitation or complete reconstruction. Around 81% of schools have been directly hit, rendering most educational facilities inoperable, while many have been converted into shelters for displaced families. The crisis has also devastated higher education, with 95% of universities and colleges damaged, affecting nearly 90, 000 university students and more than 5, 200 academic and administrative staff as educational activities remain suspended. Supporting Students’ Return to the Classroom In response to these unprecedented challenges, Life for Relief and Development (LIFE) has completed the construction of a new school in Gaza as part of its efforts to restore access to education for children affected by the war. The project aims to provide a safe, fully equipped learning environment capable of accommodating growing numbers of students, helping to resume education while mitigating the long-term consequences of prolonged school closures. Dr. Vicki Roob, National/International Programs Director, explained that the school was built on an emergency basis to help preserve educational continuity in Gaza. “The school was constructed on a 3, 000-square-meter site and includes 20 fully equipped classrooms furnished with student desks and whiteboards, in addition to two administrative offices, seven sanitation units, a complete electrical system, a main entrance gate, and a surrounding perimeter fence, providing students with a safe and comprehensive learning environment.” Accommodating Thousands of Students and Reducing Overcrowding The school operates on a multi-shift schedule, with each shift serving approximately 800 students, enabling a total of nearly 4, 800 students to receive education daily. The initiative is designed to reduce overcrowding in the few operational schools across northern Gaza while expanding access to education amid the severe shortage of functioning educational facilities. Abu Suhaib, LIFE’s Gaza Office Coordinator, said the school is part of the organization’s broader efforts to improve educational access, reduce financial burdens on families, strengthen community stability, and enhance the quality of education. “The project’s beneficiaries extend beyond students to include parents and caregivers, teachers and school staff, students’ families, and the wider local community, all of whom will benefit from strengthened educational infrastructure. The project also represents a long-term investment in the recovery and resilience of Gaza’s education sector. Sustainability principles were integrated throughout the planning, construction, and handover phases to ensure that the school continues providing high-quality education for years to come.” Contributing to Education Recovery Despite Extraordinary Challenges LIFE implemented the project in close coordination with the Palestinian Ministry of Education and Higher Education and local community representatives to ensure compliance with national educational standards and address the population’s most urgent needs. Despite operating under extremely difficult humanitarian and security conditions—including ongoing instability, movement restrictions, disrupted supply chains, and repeated interruptions affecting field operations—the implementation team successfully completed the project according to schedule. A Safe Learning Environment that Supports Children’s Recovery The organization emphasized that providing a secure educational environment helps improve school attendance, enhance learning outcomes, and strengthen the psychological and social well-being of children affected by the war. The project also contributes to reducing school dropout rates and long-term learning loss by ensuring that children have access to safe and accessible educational facilities. The school was constructed using durable steel structures and arches with high-quality roofing materials suited to Gaza’s environmental conditions. Comprehensive electrical systems, water and sanitation networks, classroom furnishings, and protective site infrastructure were installed in accordance with approved engineering standards, minimizing future maintenance requirements while extending the facility’s operational lifespan. Children Rediscover Their Dreams Inside the Classroom Children enrolled in the new school expressed their joy at returning to education after many months away from the classroom. Mohammad, 11, said: “I felt incredibly happy when I entered the new school. I missed studying and seeing my friends. Now I have a classroom, teachers, and a place where I can learn again. I dream of becoming an engineer so I can help rebuild Gaza in the future.” Sara, 12, added with hope in her eyes: “I was afraid I would never return to school. When the new school opened, I felt like my future had begun again. I enjoy learning with my classmates, and I dream of becoming a doctor so I can help the people in my community.” LIFE Continues Supporting Families and Orphans Alongside its efforts to restore education, Life for Relief and Development is preparing to launch a campaign this month to support 60, 000 orphans across the Gaza Strip. Over recent months, LIFE teams have provided continuous assistance to orphans and their caregivers—particularly those living in displacement camps—through monthly shopping vouchers to help meet essential household needs, in addition to the regular distribution of comprehensive food baskets. These efforts aim to ease the growing humanitarian burden on the most vulnerable families and strengthen their resilience amid the ongoing crisis.

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