Education: More than 800 teachers martyred since the start of the war

The Palestinian Ministry of Education and Higher Education announces the martyrdom of more than 800 male and female teachers, the injury of over 3,300, and the arrest of more than 170 since the start of the war on October 7, 2023, and calls on the international community to act to stop violations against the education sector.

The Palestinian Ministry of Education and Higher Education announced on Sunday the martyrdom of more than 800 male and female teachers since the start of the war on October 7, 2023. In a statement on the occasion of World Teachers' Day, the ministry reported that over 3,300 teachers have been injured and more than 170 others arrested. The ministry affirmed that the Palestinian teacher continues to fulfill his mission of protecting the right to education despite the conditions of aggression and targeting. It noted that the suffering of teachers is worsening daily due to field persecution and restrictions on freedom of movement across hundreds of occupation checkpoints, especially in Masafer Yatta, al-Mughayyir, the Jordan Valley, and areas classified as "C." It explained that this coincides with the continued withholding of clearance funds, resulting in living and economic crises. The ministry called on the international community, the United Nations, educational and human rights organizations, foremost among them UNESCO and UNICEF, to urgently act to stop violations against the education sector and provide international protection for educational staff and students. It also called on educational unions and associations to intensify advocacy and pressure for the release of detained teachers and the disbursement of withheld financial dues.