Cambridge Report: Gaza Facing a Lost Generation
A new study published by the University of Cambridge has revealed that the right to education for children living in Gaza has almost completely collapsed, putting the region at serious risk of producing a “lost generation.” According to the research, disruptions that began with the Covid-19 pandemic, combined with the Israeli occupation, trauma, and widespread malnutrition, have resulted in Gaza’s children losing the equivalent of five years of education.
There are around 1.5 million children aged 6 to 15 in Gaza and the occupied Palestinian territories. The report found that the schooling of more than 740,000 students has been severely disrupted, while 27,000 teachers have been directly affected by the conflict. Most school buildings have been damaged or destroyed, and those still standing are being used as shelters for displaced families. As a result, education often takes place in tents or through online learning with unstable internet connections.
The report also highlights that restrictions on the entry of educational materials into Gaza have made basic supplies extremely expensive. In local markets, a single A4 sheet of paper can cost up to $3, while printing learning materials for home study can cost up to ten times more than usual. The total cost of rebuilding and restoring the education system is estimated at $1.38 billion.
Researchers calculate that if schools remain closed until September 2027, many young people will fall a full decade behind their expected educational level. Children in the West Bank are also estimated to have lost at least 2.5 years of schooling. Prof. Pauline Rose of the University of Cambridge urged the international community to act urgently, stating, “These children are rapidly losing hope. Education is vital for their survival and for rebuilding their future.”