Gaza children learn on the ground amid shortage of seats
The educational process in the Gaza Strip faces major challenges due to overcrowding in schools and educational tents, and a severe shortage of seats and school furniture, forcing thousands of students to sit on the ground or stand during classes. The Ministry of Education and Higher Education called on the international community to urgently intervene to support the education sector and provide seats and school furniture.
The educational process in the Gaza Strip faces major challenges, amid overcrowding in schools and educational tents and a severe shortage of seats and school furniture, which has forced thousands of students to sit on the ground during classes. The Ministry of Education and Higher Education said that some schools are witnessing severe overcrowding, with 3 to 4 students forced to sit on a seat originally designated for two students, while others are forced to sit on the sand or stand throughout the class due to the lack of seats and available space. The ministry pointed out that the educational tents are also facing difficult conditions, due to their deterioration and lack of protective elements, in addition to the risks of exposure to rain and flooding with the approaching winter season, threatening the stability of the educational process. The ministry called on the international community, UN organizations, and supporting bodies to urgently intervene to support the education sector, provide new educational points, seats, and school furniture, to ensure students' right to education in safe and dignified conditions. It stressed that addressing the crisis requires providing financial and logistical support, establishing additional buildings or educational tents, along with evacuating schools of displaced persons and moving them to suitable shelter places, in preparation for the return of schools to regular operation.