Gaza Herald – UNICEF announced a large-scale emergency education campaign on Tuesday aimed at returning around 336,000 children in Gaza to learning, amid what it described as one of the most severe education crises in the world.
UNICEF spokesperson James Elder warned that nearly two and a half years of Israeli attacks on Gaza’s education system have placed an entire generation at risk, noting that 60% of school-aged children currently have no access to in-person education.
According to UNICEF, around 90% of schools have been damaged or destroyed. In comparison, a UN satellite-based assessment found that at least 97% of educational facilities sustained damage, effectively erasing years of academic progress.
Elder stressed that education in Gaza will initially take place in tents and community centers, as children cannot wait for permanent buildings to be rebuilt. He emphasized that “learning saves lives” by providing safety, routine, psychosocial support, and links to health and nutrition services.
UNICEF plans to focus most of its learning centers in central and southern Gaza, citing severe destruction and operational challenges in the north. Demand, Elder said, is overwhelming, with parents pleading daily for places for their children.
The agency estimates the cost at $280 per child per year, requiring $86 million to reach all targeted children in 2026. UNICEF also confirmed it has finally been able to deliver school supplies into Gaza for the first time in over two years, calling the program essential to protecting Gaza’s future and keeping hope alive.
