Gaza Education Crisis 2026: 98% of Schools Destroyed as Children Brave Gunfire for Lessons
As of Jan 2026, 98% of Gaza's schools are destroyed. Over 638,000 children face their third year without formal education amidst gunfire and a blockade on learning materials.
638,000 children have lost their place of learning. As of January 6, 2026, 98% of schools in the Gaza Strip lie in ruins, forcing families to choose between safety and the slim hope of an education in makeshift 'tent schools'.
Learning in the Shadow of Snipers: Gaza Education Crisis 2026
In the rubble of Beit Lahiya, seven-year-old Tulin isn't worried about her grades; she's worried about the 'yellow zone.' Her school is a canvas tent just meters away from Israeli forces. When the crack of sniper fire echoes through the camp, the teacher gives a chilling command: "Take the sleeping position." Students lie flat on the dirt, waiting for the shooting to stop before resuming their ABCs.
The occupation’s policy is ignorance, and our policy is knowledge. Despite the gunfire, we remain.
A Systemic Collapse by the Numbers
Kazem Abu Khalaf, spokesperson for UNICEF in Palestine, describes the situation as one of the century's greatest humanitarian catastrophes. The scale of destruction is nearly total:
- 98% of all schools have suffered damage or total destruction.
- 88% of schools require comprehensive reconstruction.
- Over 700,000 children are entering their third year of academic deprivation.
The Silent Scars: Trauma and the Textbook Ban
The damage isn't just physical. UNICEF field teams have observed a 25% increase in speech impediments among children due to severe trauma. Compounding this is a logistical blockade; since October 2023, almost no educational materials have been allowed into Gaza. Without pens, paper, or books, the 'Back to Learning' campaign faces an uphill battle against a policy of enforced illiteracy.
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