What's happened
UNICEF says 98% of Gaza schools were destroyed or damaged; about 660,000 students are missing in-person learning. Gaza’s Ministry of Education is reopening the 2026-27 year with dozens of temporary schools; online learning continues for those unable to attend. Israeli control remains over much of Gaza as the conflict persists.
What's behind the headline?
Analysis
- The reopening signals fragile normalization in a battered education system, not a full return to normalcy.
- UNICEF’s numbers frame the scale: 98% of schools damaged or destroyed, 660,000 students affected.
- The narrative is shaped by conflicting claims about casualties and who controls access to Gaza’s schools, with Israel still in control of much of the territory.
- Readers should consider the practicalities: tents and bare classrooms vs. the need for ongoing aid and reconstruction; how long in-person learning can be sustained under threat.
- Forecast: the push to reopen will likely continue, but disruptions and security risks will persist, forcing continued reliance on temporary facilities.
Key questions: How long will these makeshift schools suffice? What support will be available to ensure quality education moving forward? How will access to materials and safety be managed in volatile conditions?
How we got here
Schools in Gaza have faced extensive destruction during the war. UNICEF reports widespread damage while Gaza education officials say hundreds of thousands of students are displaced and missing regular schooling. The Ministry of Education, backed by aid groups, has organized temporary learning centers in tents and makeshift facilities.
Our analysis
The Times of Israel reports on the fragility of the reopening and the harsh realities faced by students like Moayed Abu Mustafa and Samar Abu Salmi. The Japan Times covers UNICEF’s statistics and the broader impact on Palestinian education, while Al Jazeera highlights the heavy toll on students and ongoing restrictions in Gaza. Arab News notes local conditions like desks in UNRWA schools and the challenges of starting the new year.
Go deeper
- What changes in funding or aid are expected to stabilize Gaza’s temporary schools?
- How might international pressure influence the pace of reconstruction for Gaza’s education system?
- What steps are being taken to protect students in tent classrooms from safety risks?
More on these topics
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UNICEF - Agency
The United Nations Children's Fund is a United Nations agency responsible for providing humanitarian and developmental aid to children worldwide.U.N. headquarters is based in New York City, it is among the most widespread and recognizable social welfare o
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Gaza Strip
The Gaza Strip, or simply Gaza, is a self-governing Palestinian territory on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea, that borders Egypt on the southwest for 11 kilometers and Israel on the east and north along a 51 km border.
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Israel - Country in the Middle East
Israel, formally known as the State of Israel, is a country in Western Asia, located on the southeastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea and the northern shore of the Red Sea.