Gaza’s Ministry of Education reports that nearly 12,000 students have lost their lives and close to 19,000 have been injured since the onset of the conflict in Gaza on October 7, 2023. Additionally, 114 students in the occupied West Bank have been killed, with 594 more wounded.
The toll has also extended to educators and school staff, with 560 teachers and administrators killed, and over 3,700 injured across both Gaza and the West Bank. The ministry notes that more than 148 educational staff members have been detained within the occupied territories.
In Gaza, educational infrastructure has suffered significant damage, with 362 government schools, universities, and their facilities either bombed or vandalized. Another 65 educational institutions, linked to relief agencies, have also been damaged.
The conflict has forced at least 718,000 students in Gaza to abandon their schools and universities. This disruption in education is compounded by psychological trauma and health complications that many students now face. The Ministry of Education highlights the need for urgent support to address these widespread impacts on Gaza’s youth and educational system.The widespread devastation in Gaza’s educational sector underscores a profound humanitarian crisis. With hundreds of schools and universities destroyed or damaged, the region faces an unprecedented interruption in learning, leaving an entire generation without access to education. This loss extends beyond academics; for many students, schools served as places of stability and refuge amid conflict. The emotional toll on children and young adults is severe, with reports indicating widespread psychological trauma, anxiety, and depression.
Health complications among students and educators are also escalating, attributed not only to injuries from the conflict but also to deteriorating living conditions and lack of medical resources. With hospitals overwhelmed and medical supplies in short supply, injured students face challenges in receiving adequate care, and the psychological needs of young survivors are largely unmet. Health facilities that could otherwise provide counseling or mental health services have also been damaged or are struggling with limited resources.
The interruption to education has ripple effects beyond the immediate crisis. Many fear that the long-term impact will be a generation left without the skills and opportunities needed to rebuild and contribute to society, affecting Gaza’s future social and economic stability. International organizations and aid agencies are calling for urgent measures to ensure safe access to education, adequate psychological support, and protection for students and educational staff.
Amid global calls for a ceasefire, education and health remain priority areas for relief efforts. Advocates are pressing for the establishment of protected educational zones and mental health support networks to address the widespread needs of Gaza’s students. The ongoing conflict, however, presents a complex challenge for implementing these measures, with the safety of students, teachers, and medical personnel constantly at risk.
