For the first time since the war began in October 2023, high school students in Gaza are taking their final secondary school exams.
Despite widespread destruction and ongoing attacks, around 1,500 students are sitting for these exams, which are being held online through a new platform launched by Gaza’s Ministry of Education.
These exams are a step toward university studies for students whose education has been severely affected by months of conflict.
Many of them should have started university already, but due to the war, they remained at the secondary level.
The exams are being taken in various locations based on safety, including homes, community centers, and temporary shelters.
Technical preparations were made to support the online exam system, including a mock test to check both student readiness and software performance.
Internet access and electricity remain major problems. Students are logging in from tents, damaged buildings, and internet cafes when possible.
With many schools destroyed and classrooms lost, some students no longer have books or proper learning materials.
A few teachers have reopened damaged classrooms to help guide students through the process.
The move to online exams is new for Gaza, and many students are unfamiliar with the system.
The war has badly damaged Gaza’s education system. According to the United Nations, 95 percent of educational facilities have been destroyed or are no longer functional.
More than 660,000 children are currently out of school. Many buildings that once held classrooms are now being used as shelters for displaced families and have also been targeted in ongoing attacks.
Despite these severe conditions, students are still trying to continue their education in the hope of a better future.