Archive · 17 Nov 2025
Gaza Schools Destroyed, Hundreds of Thousands of Children Out of Class
Imagine a big playground that got broken.
Many kids in Gaza can't go to their school playgrounds anymore because the buildings are damaged or gone.
Some schools are even being used as homes for families who had to leave their own houses.
So, kids are learning in tents or very basic places, if they can learn at all.
Over 600,000 children have missed a lot of school because of the fighting.
Adults are trying hard to fix some places or build new ones, but it's tough because everything is broken and it's hard to bring new supplies like pencils.
Leaders say it's very important for these kids to go back to learning, not just to learn new things, but also to feel better because the war was scary.
If they don't go to school, it might be hard for them to catch up later and they might get into trouble.
Most of Gaza's schools have been destroyed or severely damaged due to the ongoing conflict.
Over 600,000 Palestinian children have missed the past two years of education.
Makeshift schools in tents are being set up, but space is extremely limited.
Israel has restricted the entry of basic school supplies, deeming them 'non-critical'.
The lack of education poses severe risks to a generation's mental health and future prospects.
- Who
- Palestinian children in Gaza
- What
- Hundreds of thousands of children are unable to attend school due to widespread destruction and damage to educational facilities, and a lack of basic supplies.
- When
- Over the past two years of the war, and continuing as a ceasefire largely holds.
- Where
- Gaza Strip
- Why
- Widespread destruction of schools by war, many schools serving as shelters for displaced families, and restrictions on the entry of essential school supplies.
Arguments for Allowing School Supplies
Arguments Against Allowing School Supplies
Importance of Educational Materials
Arguments for Allowing School Supplies
UNICEF spokesman John Crickx stated that basic supplies like pencils and erasers are crucial for education and avoiding 'terrible consequences for an entire generation.'
Arguments Against Allowing School Supplies
COGAT, the Israeli military body, considers these items 'non-critical, non-life saving,' indicating a prioritization of other aid.
- Children Affected
- Over 630,000 Palestinian children in Gaza missed school due to the war.
- Children Returned to School
- Approximately 100,000 children have returned to makeshift schools.
- UNRWA Education
- UNRWA is providing education for about 40,000 students.
- Shelters in Schools
- Around 75,000 displaced people are still sheltering in UNRWA schools.
- Estimated Reconstruction Cost
- $70 billion
- Start of War
- October 7, 2023