Ramallah – Ma’an – The new school year begins tomorrow, amid ongoing genocide against our people in the Gaza Strip and ongoing occupation violations in the West Bank amidst the closure of the areas.
As a year approaches since the start of the last aggression on Gaza, the scenes of killing and destruction are still before our eyes and before more than 600,000 students who have been deprived of their right to continue their free and safe education. It is customary for us to begin our annual statement on the opening of the school year with numbers and data that include the numbers of students, teachers, educational staff and schools in the West Bank and Gaza, and to shed light on the preparations and arrangements for the opening of the school year throughout the homeland and our schools abroad.
However, unusually, we find that this year is different from previous years; the occupation’s aggression on Gaza resulted in the targeting of more than 25,000 children, between martyrs and wounded; More than 10,000 of o
ur school students were killed, while 90% of the 307 government school buildings were destroyed.
This situation in the Gaza Strip is no different from the reality of education in Jerusalem, which is still under the pressure of Israelization and Judaization policies. The same applies to the so-called areas (C), and even to city centers and camps that have become the scene of destructive operations launched by the occupation. What happened in Jenin and Tulkarm and their camps is the closest example to describing these violations.
It is customary for us to review the starting points for development and modernization and the developments of the new year; and in the context of the current circumstances, the spirit of will will not be absent and the flame of work will not fade. Despite the expansion of the scope of targeting, the Ministry is moving forward with all hope towards protecting education and providing all opportunities for our children in the Gaza Strip; as the Ministry is working and has begun to laun
ch virtual schools and open our schools in the West Bank to our students in Gaza, and determination leads us to provide as much education as possible, even if inside dilapidated tents; The right to education is an approach and practice, not a luxury, theory and slogans. This is what the presidency and government institutions embody, and what the interest in education reflects, especially in light of the current situation.
The construction process will continue, and we will build schools. In partnership with national and local bodies, institutions and partners, we will overcome this difficult stage, with the determination of our loyal teachers, whom we trust and are proud of their presence and their belonging to the sacred message of knowledge, and with the support of parents and the commitment of students.
In conclusion, we pray for the martyrs who are more honorable than all of us, and we hope for the speedy release of our prisoners and the full recovery of our wounded. Education will remain our path to li
beration and our sure choice for survival and steadfastness. Education will remain a tool for liberation and construction. Our schools in the Jordan Valley and Al-Musafir and all the schools of challenge will remain a witness that we are determined to continue building and giving. Gaza schools will return to pulsating with giving, for if the buildings are destroyed, the meanings will not be destroyed.
Source: Maan News Agency