In Gaza City, the sound of children learning can be heard once again. The tents that now serve as classrooms are noisy and a little chaotic but lively. Some teachers point to boards covered in English letters; others invite pupils to come forward and write basic Arabic words. It is nowhere near a normal school day. But after the Israel-Hamas ceasefire in October, it's a start.
After two years of war, the hum of lessons and chatter of classmates resonates around the ruins of what was once Lulwa Abdel Wahab al-Qatami School, in the Tel al-Hawa neighbourhood in the south-western part of Gaza City. It was hit in January 2024, and for months afterwards, its grounds served as a shelter for displaced families. Today, it is again a place of learning - albeit in a more basic form.
Walking in a straight line, their small arms resting on each other's shoulders, pupils smile as they head into the makeshift classrooms. For many, this is the first return to routine and education since the war began.
According to UNICEF, more than 97% of schools in Gaza were damaged or destroyed during the war. The IDF has made repeated claims that Hamas uses civilian infrastructure including schools to carry out operations but has rarely provided solid evidence. Of the Strip's 658,000 school-aged children, most have had no formal education for nearly two years. During that time, many learned first-hand how hunger, displacement and death can shape their young lives. Now, something rare is emerging: a fragile glimpse of the childhoods they once knew.
Fourteen-year-old Naeem al-Asmaar, who lost his mother in an Israeli air strike, reflects on his experiences as he rejoins his peers. It was the hardest thing I've ever been through, he recalls.
The temporary school structures, though inadequate, represent a lifeline for these children. The principal, Dr Mohammad Saeed Schheiber, emphasizes the determination to provide education despite the limitations. They serve 1,100 children across three shifts every day, yet lack sufficient resources. Before the war, our students learned in fully equipped schools - all of that is gone, he notes.
The environment is challenging, with ongoing trauma affecting the students. Over 100 have lost one or both parents, or witnessed violence, highlighting the mental health crisis among the youth. Amidst these complexities, parents express mixed feelings of relief and concern regarding their children's education.
As restrictions on humanitarian aid persist, UNICEF and school officials continue to advocate for essential supplies. Jonathan Crickx, a UNICEF spokesman, stresses the dire need for basic educational materials to support these students. Despite various ongoing hostilities, the resilience of children and educators in Gaza shines through, emphasizing the critical importance of education in rebuilding lives torn apart by conflict.
After two years of war, the hum of lessons and chatter of classmates resonates around the ruins of what was once Lulwa Abdel Wahab al-Qatami School, in the Tel al-Hawa neighbourhood in the south-western part of Gaza City. It was hit in January 2024, and for months afterwards, its grounds served as a shelter for displaced families. Today, it is again a place of learning - albeit in a more basic form.
Walking in a straight line, their small arms resting on each other's shoulders, pupils smile as they head into the makeshift classrooms. For many, this is the first return to routine and education since the war began.
According to UNICEF, more than 97% of schools in Gaza were damaged or destroyed during the war. The IDF has made repeated claims that Hamas uses civilian infrastructure including schools to carry out operations but has rarely provided solid evidence. Of the Strip's 658,000 school-aged children, most have had no formal education for nearly two years. During that time, many learned first-hand how hunger, displacement and death can shape their young lives. Now, something rare is emerging: a fragile glimpse of the childhoods they once knew.
Fourteen-year-old Naeem al-Asmaar, who lost his mother in an Israeli air strike, reflects on his experiences as he rejoins his peers. It was the hardest thing I've ever been through, he recalls.
The temporary school structures, though inadequate, represent a lifeline for these children. The principal, Dr Mohammad Saeed Schheiber, emphasizes the determination to provide education despite the limitations. They serve 1,100 children across three shifts every day, yet lack sufficient resources. Before the war, our students learned in fully equipped schools - all of that is gone, he notes.
The environment is challenging, with ongoing trauma affecting the students. Over 100 have lost one or both parents, or witnessed violence, highlighting the mental health crisis among the youth. Amidst these complexities, parents express mixed feelings of relief and concern regarding their children's education.
As restrictions on humanitarian aid persist, UNICEF and school officials continue to advocate for essential supplies. Jonathan Crickx, a UNICEF spokesman, stresses the dire need for basic educational materials to support these students. Despite various ongoing hostilities, the resilience of children and educators in Gaza shines through, emphasizing the critical importance of education in rebuilding lives torn apart by conflict.
