In Gaza, for the first time since the Israeli war began, high school students are preparing to sit their final exams. The war and Israeli aggression have deprived Palestinians of their right to education since 2023.

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High school students in Gaza, whose education has been severely disrupted by nearly two years of conflict, are now taking their final exams online. With 95% of educational institutions in Gaza damaged or destroyed, traditional classroom learning has become nearly impossible. In response, the education ministry has launched an online platform to allow students to complete their secondary school exams. 

Despite the new system, students face major obstacles such as unreliable internet, lack of devices, and unsafe environments. Some teachers have reopened damaged classrooms to offer in-person guidance, helping students navigate the unfamiliar online process. For many, these exams represent a crucial opportunity for higher education and a future beyond the blockade.

High school students in Gaza to sit final exams online

High school students in Gaza were supposed to be university students by now. But nearly two years of war have derailed their futures. For these teenagers, the final year of school simply disappeared. The Israeli assault has devastated Gaza's education system, damaging or destroying 95% of educational institutions. Former classes are nearly impossible. In response, Gaza's education ministry has launched an online platform, the first of its kind in the Strip, to enable high school seniors to take their final secondary school exam. Students have downloaded the app to take their exams, but they face many challenges. We've raised these concerns with the ministry to make sure they're resolved so students can sit for their exams without disruption. Students log in from cafes, tents and shelters, wherever they can find a charge device and a flicker of internet connection. Before the final exam, they have to complete a mock test designed not only to test their knowledge, but also the system's stability. But going digital in Gaza is far from easy. We're taking exams online, but it's so difficult. The internet is weak, many of us don't have devices and there's no safe space to take the test. We also lost our books in the bombardment. To support them, a few teachers have reopened damaged classrooms and are offering in-person guidance. We started face-to-face sessions to help students prepare. It's the first time the ministry has done this online and students are confused, so we're trying to guide them step by step. For Palestinian students, this is more than just an exam. It's a gateway to higher education, scholarships and a future beyond the Israeli blockade. Even in a war zone, with no classrooms, no books and barely any internet, Gaza students are showing up, logging in and setting their final exams, refusing to let war erase their future.

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High school students in Gaza to sit final exams online

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