Following nearly three years of sustained military operations, tens of thousands of students in the Gaza Strip are beginning a new academic year, attending lessons in improvised educational environments. The return to schooling comes as authorities have established temporary learning centers to replace the vast majority of educational infrastructure that was damaged or destroyed during the conflict.
According to reporting by Al Jazeera’s Hani Mahmoud, the resurgence of classroom activity highlights the efforts to restore normalcy for the region’s youth despite the extensive devastation that has characterized the territory for an extended period. The makeshift setups serve as a critical educational alternative for children who have faced prolonged disruptions to their academic lives.
Three years of conflict and they are still finding ways to learn. That takes incredible strength from these students and teachers.
Makeshift facilities are barely enough. The international community needs to do more than just observe these temporary setups.
It is heartbreaking but inspiring to see children returning to classrooms despite all this destruction. Resilience is real.