Palestinian students in Gaza appeared for their final Tawjihi exams on a beach in Khan Younis, reflecting the severe impact of ongoing conflict on education. With most school buildings damaged or destroyed, authorities arranged makeshift exam centres in open areas, tents, and temporary setups.
Reports indicate that nearly 97 percent of schools in Gaza have been destroyed or heavily damaged. The Ministry of Education shifted examinations to alternative locations due to the lack of functioning infrastructure. Students wrote exams while sitting on the ground, often without basic facilities such as electricity or internet.
The disruption began after continuous attacks since October 2023. School buildings, including those used as shelters for displaced families, have faced repeated strikes. Data shows that over 500 schools were hit in recent months, with at least 53 completely destroyed. More than 650,000 children have seen their education interrupted.
Many of the affected sites included facilities managed as shelters, where civilians had sought safety. Incidents involved repeated strikes on the same locations, leading to civilian casualties, including women and children.
Despite these conditions, students continued their exams in 2025 and again this year. Authorities used mobile based systems in some cases due to lack of infrastructure.International observers have raised concern over the scale of destruction.