Overview

After two years of intense conflict that devastated Gaza’s education system, Palestine’s Minister for Education, Amjad Barham, has appealed to the international community to help protect and rebuild higher education. He stressed that despite massive destruction, Palestinian students and educators continue to fight for their right to learn.

Massive Destruction of Education Infrastructure

According to Barham, over 80% of university buildings in Gaza, including labs, workshops, and libraries, have been destroyed.
He highlighted that:

• Nearly 400 schools were damaged or flattened.

• More than 60 university buildings were completely destroyed.

• No hall or classroom is currently fit for in-person classes.

• Remaining buildings are being used as shelters for displaced families.

Barham said the scale of damage supports growing claims by global experts of “scholasticide”, meaning the targeted destruction of a people’s educational system.

Human Loss: Students, Professors, and Academic Leaders

The ministry’s documentation shows:

• 241 university staff have been killed, including three university presidents and dozens of academics.

• 1,351 university students have lost their lives.

• Thousands more have been injured.

Barham emphasized that buildings can be rebuilt, but the loss of scholars, researchers, and academic leaders is an irreparable tragedy.

Ceasefire Offers Relief, But Rebuilding Is Not Yet Possible

A US-brokered ceasefire in place since 10 October 2025 has provided temporary relief from bombing, but Barham said it is too early to begin reconstruction.
He warned that violence continues to flare, making even temporary planning difficult.

The ministry’s first priority is the safety and security of students, followed by arranging temporary buildings for limited in-person education.

West Bank and East Jerusalem Also Under Pressure

Barham said universities in the West Bank and East Jerusalem face:

• Checkpoints and roadblocks that prevent professors and students from reaching campuses.

• Settler violence and financial restrictions.

• A severe drop in tuition payments due to the collapsing economy.

These challenges have forced universities to rely heavily on e-learning to keep classes running.

Virtual Learning Keeps Education Alive

Despite the crisis, Palestinian teachers conduct classes:

• Morning sessions for West Bank students

• Evening online sessions for Gaza students

This system allowed Palestine to complete two full academic years and conduct the important Tawjihi high school exams.

Barham confirmed that 90% of the 60,000 Tawjihi students (classes of 2006 and 2007) are expected to qualify for higher education.

Reconstruction Priorities and Challenges

Once conditions allow, the ministry plans to:

1. Restore In-Person Classes in Gaza

Temporary learning centres will be the first step.

2. Rebuild Universities Safely

Barham said reconstruction requires:

• Security guarantees preventing future attacks on campuses

• Scientific waste-management protocols to remove hazardous debris

• Hundreds of millions of dollars for universities

• Billions more for rebuilding schools

Collaboration With Arab and International Partners

The ministry is coordinating with:

• Education Above All Foundation

• Welfare Association (Taawon)

• PAMA Foundation

• UNESCO

Several countries have already accepted Palestinian students as visiting students so they can continue their degrees abroad.

International professors are helping through distance teaching, but Barham stressed that more global support is urgently needed to:

• Pay staff salaries

• Stop academic migration

• Support students through tuition aid

• Keep universities operational

Transparent Governance to Protect Aid

Barham assured donors that the ministry uses strict financial governance, managed through:

• The General Directorate of Grants

• The Student Loan Fund

He emphasized that no corruption cases have ever been reported in this system and that assistance goes directly to students’ accounts with full transparency.

Impact on Research and Academic Work

Due to the economic siege, universities cannot fund labs or research.
Barham said scientific work continues but at a much slower pace due to:

• Lack of labs

• Limited budgets

• Damage to research facilities

Still, the ministry encourages international research partnerships to keep academic growth alive.

Strength and Commitment of Palestinian Educators

Barham praised Palestinian teachers and professors as the backbone of national identity and education, saying they continue to teach under unimaginable conditions.

He affirmed that Palestinian universities remain independent and professional, guided by the Higher Education Council and long-standing traditions of academic neutrality.

A Call to the World: Safeguard Palestinian Education

Barham ended with a clear message:
“Our mission is to protect the future of higher education in Gaza and across Palestine. We will continue to support our students, faculty, and institutions with every resource available.”

He urged global institutions to stand with Palestine to protect the right to education, rebuild universities, and ensure the next generation of Palestinians can learn, grow, and rebuild their society.