Palestinian teacher rebuilds classroom in tent amidst Gaza ruins

GAZA

Palestinian teacher Esra Ebu Mustafa teaches children in a makeshift “tent school” built on the ruins of her house in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip.

Her house was destroyed in an Israeli airstrike.

Since October 7, 2023, Israel has continued its ground, air and sea attacks on the Gaza Strip, which has been under blockade since 2006.

At least 40,972 Palestinians were killed in the attacks, including 16,715 children and 11,308 women, and 94,761 were injured.

Thousands are still buried under rubble and civilian infrastructure, including hospitals and educational institutions, is being targeted.

According to a statement by the Gaza Media Office on August 26, 122 schools and universities were completely destroyed and 334 partially damaged as a result of the ongoing attacks.

The UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) reported that 200 schools have been closed since the attacks began.

“More than 600,000 children are living in the rubble there and are deeply traumatized. They are still unable to learn or attend school,” said UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini on September 2.

“The longer children stay out of school, the greater the risk of a lost generation, fueling resentment and extremism,” he also warned.

Volunteer educator shows that school is more than just four walls

Despite heavy bombings and blockades, a handful of volunteer teachers in the Gaza Strip are trying to provide the children with an education.

Esra Ebu Mustafa is one such teacher.

She built her tent school on the rubble of her destroyed house in Khan Younis and taught children from preschool to sixth grade.

“I set up an educational tent on the rubble of my house destroyed by the invaders,” Esra Ebu Mustafa told Anadolu.

She reported that it was difficult to find the necessary materials, adding that they were still struggling to educate the children and enable them to return to school after the war had interrupted them.

Esra emphasized the great interest in her tent school and noted that families are deeply concerned about the future of their children after a year without school.

“We try to teach according to the Palestinian curriculum and provide psychological support through fun activities. The children in Gaza live in difficult and tragic conditions and we work to alleviate their suffering through teaching and fun activities.”

*Written by Gizem Nisa Cebi

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