What is the Impact of the Israel-Hamas War on Education?

The impact of the Israel-Hamas War on education cannot be ignored, given its current and lasting effects on civilians and especially the younger and future generations for many years to come. Ever since the war began on the 7th of October last year, Gaza has been facing a humanitarian crisis with over 35,000 Palestinians killed, 19,000 children orphaned, 80% of the population driven away from home, and 90% of school buildings destroyed. The fact that it is a humanitarian crisis makes it a global issue by default, and we certainly cannot shut our eyes to that.?

Studies show that hundreds and thousands of children, who are now exposed to acute malnutrition, psychological trauma, forced labour, sexual violence, trafficking, and recruitment by armed groups, have been the most affected of all.

After all, damaged homes and school buildings can still be rebuilt, just as money can be earned again and normalcy can be brought back after the war is over. But how are we going to compensate for children’s lost academic years and learning, especially when education is not, and perhaps cannot even be, the focus of a war-torn place, where food, health, sanitation, and hygiene naturally come first??

Further, the significance of education cannot be underscored much, for education creates the future. So, if you ask what are the effects of the Israel-Hamas War, in one line, it is the future itself that is at stake there.?

“Scholasticide”: One of the Adverse Effects of the Israel-Hamas War??

Owing to their educational revolution in the past century, Palestinians have been considered to be one of the world’s most educated and skilled societies. However, given the impact of the Israel-Hamas War on their schools, libraries, museums, and other places of cultural and educational importance, and given the large number of “targeted” killings of teachers and students, the entire crisis is nothing short of “scholasticide”. It is a long-standing pattern of assault from colonial times against the creation of knowledge and cultural heritage.?

Back to the Pre-Education Stage

Deliberate demolition of educational institutions and assaults against educators in the Gaza Strip are somewhat planned to arrest their socio-economic advancement. Since survival has taken priority, getting back to the pre-education stage is very well becoming a harsh reality that is bound to entrap Gaza into a vicious cycle of dependency.?

Suppression of Intellectual Development & the Palestinian Narrative?

One of the major effects of the Israel-Hamas War is that the Palestinian narrative is increasingly under attack, giving a stimulus to Israel’s rule and occupation. Moreover, the deliberate destruction of the Palestinian education system is targeted at suppressing their intellectual as well as scientific development that could otherwise challenge the dominance of Israel one day.?

When Would Students Be Back in School?

With no end in sight to the Israel-Hamas War, this is a question that cannot be answered. Also, after the end of the war, it is bound to take months and years for Gaza’s educational community to reconstruct the educational institutions and overcome the physical and psychological challenges of students and educators. Online teaching does pave the way to elevate individuals and communities in the post-war era, but cooperation among the government, international organisations, and civil society will be of prime importance.?

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