Gaza City – Hundreds of thousands of children in Gaza have returned to face-to-face schooling in makeshift tent classrooms, marking a fragile step towards normalcy after nearly three years of profound disruption due to ongoing conflict.

The new school year, which began on September 19, saw approximately 541,000 students resume their education in temporary learning spaces. For many families, this return represents a significant moment, offering a semblance of routine after prolonged periods of displacement and uncertainty.

One parent, Rana Totah, described the first day back as "a beautiful day," even comparing it to a holiday. She expressed her relief and excitement as her two sons, Jihad and Ibrahim, walked to their tent school in al-Katiba, western Gaza City. The family had been displaced from their neighborhood and had experienced significant interruptions to their children's education.

These temporary schools are operating out of approximately 10 tents, highlighting the severe scarcity of resources and infrastructure. The return to in-person learning follows a period where informal and volunteer-led initiatives attempted to maintain educational continuity, but these efforts were often hampered by the daily realities of war, displacement, and the struggle for basic necessities.

The current situation in Gaza has led to widespread destruction of educational facilities, forcing the implementation of these temporary solutions. The Ministry of Education and Higher Education in Gaza has been working to establish these learning environments to provide a structured educational experience for students who have faced unprecedented challenges.

During the prolonged conflict, survival often took precedence over schooling. Parents like Totah found their children engaged in essential survival tasks, such as fetching water, instead of focusing on their studies. Totah recounted her efforts to prioritize her children's education, emphasizing its foundational role in their lives despite the overwhelming difficulties.

The resumption of classes in these basic conditions underscores the resilience of Gaza's students and educators. However, the long-term impact of such extensive educational disruption on a generation of children remains a significant concern for educators and international observers.

Questions persist about the sustainability of these temporary measures, the availability of adequate educational materials, and the psychological well-being of students returning to learning environments amidst ongoing instability. The international community continues to monitor the situation, with a focus on supporting educational continuity and recovery efforts in the region.