After two years of brutal war and destruction, the children of Gaza have finally returned to school, stepping into classrooms that still bear the scars of conflict. Despite shattered walls and makeshift furniture, their determination to learn remains unbroken, bringing a glimmer of hope to the war-torn region. Young students expressed excitement and relief at reclaiming a sense of normalcy after years of fear, displacement, and uncertainty.
At the Deir al-Balah Joint Elementary School, run by the UN Palestine refugee agency (UNRWA), students like Sham Al-Abd shared their simple dreams. “What we need now are notebooks, books, and pens. We want to get our lives back,” she said. The school, once used as a shelter during airstrikes, now echoes with laughter and lessons again, showing the resilience of Gaza’s youngest survivors who yearn for peace and stability.
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UNRWA has launched its “Return to Learning” programme, blending in-person and online education to reach thousands of displaced children. Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini emphasized that education is vital for restoring stability and dignity in Gaza’s devastated communities. Currently, over 62,000 children benefit from temporary learning programs, while around 300,000 students continue their studies through distance learning, supported by more than 8,000 dedicated teachers.
However, challenges persist as many schools still double as shelters for displaced families. Corridors are filled with families cooking meals, while tents occupy schoolyards, and classrooms lack chairs and proper facilities. Yet the spirit of learning continues to thrive. Children, even in these harsh conditions, are motivated to study Arabic, English, and mathematics, believing education is their only path toward a better future.
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UNRWA spokesperson Inas Hamdam reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to opening more temporary learning spaces to ensure no child is left behind. She stated that every child, regardless of their circumstances, “deserves a chance at life, dignity, and education.” As the sound of lessons once again fills Gaza’s schools, hope slowly replaces despair, symbolizing the unyielding strength of a generation determined to rebuild their lives from the ruins of war.