39,000 Gaza Students Denied Access to High School Exams Amid Ongoing War

The ongoing war between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip has disrupted the education of thousands of Palestinian students, with around 39,000 high school students being denied access to their exams. The Israeli occupation has prevented these students from taking their high school exams, a significant milestone in their educational path and future prospects.

According to the Palestinian Ministry of Education, the process of registering Gazan students in Egypt is continuing, with 800 students set to sit their secondary school exams there. The ministry has also opened 19 schools in the occupied West Bank, where 11,000 students from Gaza who were abroad enrolled in 'distance education'. However, for the vast majority of high school students in Gaza, the suspension of the school year and inability to take their exams remains a harsh reality.

The war, which has been ongoing for over six months, has caused immense suffering in Gaza. Over 625,000 schoolchildren have had their education put on hold due to the conflict. Massive internal displacement has occurred, with 85% of the enclave's 2.3 million population, many of them school-aged, forced to relocate within the Strip. The article notes the staggering human toll, stating that over 34,183 Palestinians have been killed by the US-backed Israeli military in Gaza, including more than 14,500 children.

Why this matters: The denial of access to education for tens of thousands of students in Gaza highlights the far-reaching impact of the ongoing conflict on the civilian population. The disruption of their education not only affects their immediate academic progress but also has long-term consequences for their future opportunities and the overall development of the region.

The humanitarian crisis in Gaza remains dire, with the risk of famine being very high according to U.S. special envoy for humanitarian issues, David Satterfield. While Israel has taken steps to allow aid into Gaza, with an average of 200 trucks entering daily in April, the suspension of funding for the U.N. Palestinian refugee agency (UNRWA) by the U.S. Congress until at least March 2025 poses additional challenges for the agency's operations in the region.

"The daily average number of trucks entering Gaza during April was 200, with a peak of 316 on Monday," stated Philippe Lazzarini, head of UNRWA. The ongoing war and its impact on education and humanitarian aid emphasize the urgent need for a resolution to the conflict and support for the affected population in Gaza.

Key Takeaways

• 39,000 Palestinian students denied access to high school exams in Gaza
• Over 625,000 schoolchildren in Gaza had their education disrupted by the conflict
• Over 34,183 Palestinians, including 14,500 children, killed by Israeli military in Gaza
• U.S. suspension of UNRWA funding poses challenges for humanitarian aid in Gaza
• Urgent need for conflict resolution and support for affected population in Gaza