[Japan UNICEF Association] Gaza Strip: 45,000 new first-year students unable to start school life; 625,000 students have not been able to attend school for the past year [Press Release]
*Japan UNICEF Association*
Press release: September 11, 2024
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Gaza Strip: 45,000 new first-year students unable to start school life; 625,000 students have not been able to attend school for the past year [Press Release]
*UNICEF once again appeals for ceasefire*
Children learning in a safe learning space supported by UNICEF. With all schools in the Gaza Strip closed since October 2023, UNICEF is ensuring that children continue to receive education in key subjects such as Arabic, English, mathematics and science in a safe setting. (Gaza Strip, photographed on August 11, 2024) (C)
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[September 9, 2024, Amman (Jordan)]
As the new school year begins in Middle Eastern countries and many children prepare for their first day of school, at least 45,000 six-year-old children in the Gaza Strip are being deprived of their right to education. Most have been forced from their homes and face a struggle for survival.
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A new school year was due to begin today across Palestine, but schooling has not resumed in the Gaza Strip as the violent conflict has left many students and teachers dead and injured and schools severely damaged. Already, 625,000 children in Gaza have not attended school for a full year and are at high risk of entering a second year without education as the conflict continues.
Adel Hodor, UNICEF Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa, said: “Children in the Gaza Strip have lost their families, friends, homes, safety, and normalcy. They have also lost the comfort and inspiration of school, and their bright futures have been darkened by this horrific conflict. You’re in danger.”
Since October 2023, all schools in the Gaza Strip have been closed. Among the students who were unable to study last year were 39,000 students who were unable to attend school in their final year and were unable to take the Taujihi exam at the end of high school. This is the first time in decades that graduates have faced such a situation.
For older children and young people, interruptions in education can lead to anxiety and worry. Lack of schooling can lead to exploitation, child labor,
They are at increased risk of early marriage, other forms of abuse, and, most importantly, of being permanently out of school.
For young children, missing out on schooling threatens their cognitive, social and emotional development. Parents are reporting a significant impact on their children’s mental health and psychosocial situation, including increased feelings of despair and isolation.
Children in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, are also being affected as they start the new school year. Since October 2023, increased violence and restrictions on movement have created new barriers to learning for 782,000 students. According to the
Palestinian Ministry of Education and the Education Cluster, between 8 and 20% of schools in the West Bank have been closed since October 2023. Even when schools are not closed, fear of violence, restrictions on movement, and mental health concerns are causing many students to miss school and become disengaged from learning.
Children walk to school amidst rubble in the city of Jenin as the new school year begins (West Bank, Palestine, photographed on September 2, 2024) (C)
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The West Bank, which includes the Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem, has seen an increase in attacks on schools and educational facilities in recent weeks. In the Gaza Strip, at least 84% of schools require complete rebuilding or major repairs to their buildings before they can reopen. According to the Ministry of Education, in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, there have been 69 attacks on schools and 2,354 incidents that harmed schools, students, and teachers.
Despite these overwhelming and critical needs, education remains one of the most underfunded areas of humanitarian action. UNICEF’s education programs in Palestine face an 88% funding gap.
In response, UNICEF and its partners have set up 39 temporary learning spaces in the Gaza Strip, providing support to more than 12,400 students. Additionally, we provide recreational activities, emergency learning kits, and mental health support and psychosocial support (MHPSS) to children, young people, caregivers, and teachers in shelters.
Representative Hoddle also said:
“We must find ways to restart learning and rebuild schools to protect the right to education for the next generation of Palestinians. Children need the stability and ability to cope with trauma. We need opportunities to fully develop our sexuality and grow.”
“We must remove all barriers to our vital work. We must ensure safe spaces for large-scale access to educational and recreational supplies into Gaza and for operating learning hubs. There is an urgent need to ensure that students and teachers can safely attend, live and learn in schools. Above all, we need a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and a de-escalation of tensions in the West Bank. , all children can return to the classroom and damaged schools can be rebuilt.”
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■ About UNICEF
UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund) is a United Nations agency that works to promote the rights and healthy development of all children. We are currently working with many partners in approximately 190 countries and regions* to translate our philosophy into concrete actions in a variety of ways. We work for all children, everywhere around the world, with a particular focus on supporting those most in need. UNICEF’s activities are funded entirely by donations from individuals, companies, and organizations, as well as voluntary contributions from governments around the world. (
https://www.unicef.org
*Includes 33 countries and regions where UNICEF National Committees (UNICEF Association) are active
■ About Japan UNICEF Association
Public interest incorporated foundation
The Japan Committee for UNICEF is one of the UNICEF national committees in 33 developed countries and regions, and as the only private organization representing UNICEF in Japan, is responsible for public relations, fundraising, and policy advocacy for UNICEF activities. I am. (
https://www.unicef.or.jp)