Geneva: UNICEF spokesperson James Elder has expressed grave concerns over the impact of nearly two and a half years of Israeli attacks on the education system in Gaza, warning that an entire generation is at risk.
According to Palestine News and Information Agency – WAFA, Elder highlighted the critical situation during a United Nations midweek press briefing in Geneva. He emphasized that UNICEF is actively working to expand education in the Gaza Strip, part of one of the largest emergency education efforts globally. The spokesperson noted that a staggering 60 percent of school-age children in Gaza are currently not receiving in-person education, with 90 percent of schools either damaged or destroyed.
Elder reminded that before the conflict, Palestinians in Gaza enjoyed some of the highest literacy rates worldwide, with education serving as a source of pride and resilience. However, this legacy is now under severe threat, as educational institutions have been devastated, erasing years of progress. He described this destruction as not merely physical but an assault on the future of the region.
The United Nations’ latest assessment, utilizing satellite imagery from July, reports that at least 97 percent of schools have sustained damage. In response, UNICEF plans to expand its back-to-learning program to reach 336,000 children. Elder stressed that the immediate priority is to facilitate children’s return to education without delay, often through temporary setups like tents in communities and community centers, as waiting for permanent buildings is not feasible.
Elder underscored that education is life-saving, with UNICEF’s centers offering safe havens in dangerous areas. These centers also provide access to vital information, establish routines for children, and connect them to health, nutrition, and protection services, all while ensuring proper sanitation facilities.
Most educational facilities supported by UNICEF will be located in central and southern Gaza, due to the significant challenges in accessing the north, which has suffered extensive destruction in recent months.
