The Silent Toll on Education: Gaza’s Conflict vs. U.S. Post-COVID Setbacks

In times of conflict, children often bear the brunt of the chaos, with their education being one of the first casualties. The ongoing war in Gaza has cast a long shadow over the future of its children, with education systems disrupted on a scale that is unimaginable to those in more peaceful regions. According to a recent UNRWA report, children and young people in Gaza may face an educational setback of over 20 years due to the destruction of schools, the psychological trauma of war, and the loss of teachers.

 

As of August 2024, over 10,600 children and 400 teachers have been killed, with many more injured. More than 90% of Gaza’s schools have been damaged, and a large portion of them are beyond repair. The situation is dire, and the future of an entire generation of children hangs in the balance. With more than 625,000 school-aged children now living in traumatic conditions, the impact is profound, affecting not just their academic performance but their mental health and overall well-being.

 

Gaza’s education crisis contrasts starkly with the setbacks seen in the United States following the COVID-19 pandemic. According to PBS and the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), students in the U.S. experienced substantial learning losses during the pandemic, particularly in math and reading. These losses were most pronounced in high-poverty areas, where remote learning options were limited, and students struggled with access to technology. On average, some students were set back by two years in key subjects. However, the recovery process in the U.S. has been focused on catching up academically, with tutoring programs and academic intervention strategies in place to help students regain lost ground (source).

 

The difference between these two crises is stark. In the U.S., the challenge lies in addressing academic learning gaps, while in Gaza, the very infrastructure of education has been destroyed. Schools can be rebuilt, but the trauma inflicted on children who have seen their classmates and teachers die, their homes destroyed, and their future uncertain, is a deeper wound. The impact of this trauma on their ability to learn, focus, and thrive in an academic setting cannot be overstated.

 

Providing Critical Aid to Gaza and the West Bank

 

At the same time, humanitarian organizations, including our partners, are working tirelessly to fill the gaps in Gaza and the West Bank, ensuring that children have access to essential school supplies. Providing these supplies is not just a basic need—it’s a lifeline. Ensuring that children have notebooks, pencils, and school uniforms helps them regain a sense of normalcy amidst the chaos, empowering them to succeed academically, unlock their potential, and pursue brighter, more successful futures through quality education.

 

Our focus is on helping children through direct aid and collaboration with other organizations working in the region. Together, we aim to build back the educational infrastructure and give children the opportunity to thrive despite the adversity they face.

 

As international aid flows into both regions, it is worth noting the imbalance in where funds are directed. The UNRWA report highlights that only 3.5% of international aid in Gaza has been invested in education, leaving a generation of children vulnerable not only to the immediate impacts of war but also to long-term poverty and disenfranchisement due to lack of access to quality education.

 

In contrast, the U.S. has been able to mobilize significant resources to address the learning losses caused by the pandemic. Tutoring programs, academic recovery plans, and new educational technology have all been rolled out to mitigate the damage. However, even with these interventions, it will take years for students in high-poverty areas to fully recover.

 

The lesson we must take from these crises is the critical importance of protecting and investing in education, particularly for vulnerable children. Whether in a war-torn region like Gaza or in the high-poverty neighborhoods of the U.S., children’s futures depend on their ability to access safe, stable, and quality education. Without it, the ripple effects of educational setbacks will be felt for generations.

 

In Gaza, the task is monumental. Rebuilding schools, supporting traumatized children, and providing the resources necessary for quality education will take international cooperation on an unprecedented scale. In the U.S., the focus is on equity—ensuring that every child, regardless of their socio-economic status, has the opportunity to recover and succeed academically in a post-COVID world.

 

Both regions face steep challenges, but the stakes in Gaza are far higher. If education is to be a cornerstone of peace and prosperity, then the world must rally to ensure that the children of Gaza do not lose out on the opportunity to build a better future.