Palestinian Educational Environment

Despite the Israeli occupation and restrictions on movement and resources, higher education in Palestine has remained a cornerstone of resilience and capacity building. Since the Nakba, Palestine has graduated thousands of academics and established an advanced educational system even without full independence. Today, more than 50 educational institutions serve over 210,000 students each year. Yet the academic journey continues to face serious challenges — including Israeli restrictions, the arrest of students and academics, and the destruction of infrastructure. These obstacles have created shortages in essential cadres and specializations, a crisis made even more acute by the ongoing humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza since October 2023.

The illiteracy rate in Palestine is considered a notable national achievement despite the ongoing occupation. According to 2024 data from the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics, the illiteracy rate among Palestinians is stand at approximately 3.2%, one of the lowest in the Arab region. Continuous educational programs implemented across all Palestinian areas, alongside community initiatives, have played a significant role in reducing this rate. These programs target all age groups, with special focus on older individuals who were previously deprived of education. However, vulnerable groups—particularly in Gaza—remain at risk of falling back into illiteracy due to poverty, forced displacement, and repeated Israeli attacks, all of which severely impact their educational and professional future.

Education in Palestine is currently facing a multifaceted crisis driven by the occupation blockade and political division. These challenges have severely constrained financial resources and exacerbated poverty and unemployment, especially in Gaza. For many families, the costs associated with university education—including tuition, books, and transportation—have become unaffordable, forcing numerous students to pause or abandon their studies. Meanwhile, educational institutions are struggling to maintain services and develop academic programs amid ongoing financial strain. Together, these challenges threaten the continuity and quality of education in Palestine.

In Gaza, over 12,800 students have been killed and more than 20,000 injured, alongside 760 teachers and educational staff. Universities and schools have been heavily bombed, resulting in damage to over 1,800 educational facilities. Meanwhile, in the West Bank, hundreds of students and faculty have been arrested, and more than 2,200 education-related violations have been recorded. These violations have deprived over 800,000 students of safe access to education.

More than 700,000 students in Gaza have been cut off from education, with 563 schools closed—288 of which suffered heavy damage. Approximately 39,000 students were unable to sit for their final exams, and university studies have been suspended since October 7, 2023. Over 70% of children are estimated to require psychological support due to trauma, yet most lack access to remote or digital learning. This crisis has had profound and lasting effects on both mental health and academic progress.