What's happened
As the Israel-Hamas conflict continues, Gaza's education system faces unprecedented destruction, with over 625,000 children denied education. Meanwhile, Sweden plans to start formal schooling for six-year-olds in 2028, shifting from play-based learning, raising concerns among educators about the impact on child development.
Why it matters
What the papers say
In Gaza, Bethan McKernan from The Guardian highlights the dire situation, stating, 'Education has totally stopped since 7 October and the future is still unclear.' This reflects the broader humanitarian crisis affecting children in the region. Conversely, in Sweden, Miranda Bryant reports that the government plans to shift to formal schooling for six-year-olds, with Education Minister Johan Pehrson asserting, 'school must go back to the basics.' However, this has drawn criticism from experts like Christian Eidevald, who warns that 'we risk losing the essential play-based methods that have been shown to foster children’s development.' This juxtaposition illustrates the varying approaches to education amidst crises.
How we got here
The ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict has severely disrupted education in Gaza, with many schools destroyed or repurposed as shelters. In Sweden, a government overhaul aims to change the starting age for formal education, reflecting a broader shift in educational philosophy.
More on these topics
-
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.
-
Gaza may refer to: