Gaza Academic Year Begins After Three-Year Interruption

GAZA, Sept 19 (Bernama-QNA) -- The Palestinian Ministry of Education and Higher Education has announced the start of the new academic year in the Gaza Strip, Qatar News Agency (QNA) reported.

The new academic year begins under exceptional circumstances following a three-year interruption caused by the Israeli aggression on Gaza.

In a statement on Saturday, the ministry said the new academic year in the Strip began following a thorough assessment of the education system and the completion of necessary arrangements, with two educational tracks established to accommodate students' circumstances both inside and outside the Gaza Strip.

The delay in the start of the academic year was due to technical and logistical reasons, as well as concerns over high temperatures, particularly as a large proportion of students will be receiving their education in tents and caravans, it added.

The ministry noted that learning would take place through two main tracks: in-person and virtual learning, to ensure educational continuity.

It stressed, however, that in-person education remains the main track, targeting students currently in the Strip who are able to attend school.

The ministry said it sought to expand in-person education by establishing around 700 learning facilities across different areas, with an additional 25 temporary schools expected to be ready for use soon.

Virtual learning, meanwhile, is intended for students in the Gaza Strip who are unable to attend classes in person, as well as those outside the territory, the ministry added.

This arrangement will benefit 70,000 students within the Strip and 20,000 abroad, mainly in Egypt.

Around 541,000 students in Gaza are expected to participate in the new academic year, including approximately 100,000 enrolled in schools run by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).

-- BERNAMA-QNA