UNRWA: 48,000 students enroll in 90 schools in the West Bank

The agency affirmed the continuation of education for thousands of Palestinian refugee children, drawing on more than 75 years of experience in providing education despite the difficult circumstances facing the educational process. It noted that it is providing education to students affected by displacement and school interruptions in the northern West Bank through temporary and alternative learning spaces, remote learning, and self-learning materials.

In Tulkarm, about half of the displaced students from the Tulkarm and Nur Shams camps returned to their classrooms, which hosted the official launch of the new academic year.

Director of UNRWA Affairs in the West Bank, Roland Friedrich, said, "The new academic year brings renewed hope to thousands of Palestinian refugee children after another year of displacement, violence, and uncertainty."

He added that the students' desire to learn, grow, and envision a better future remains steadfast and strong, emphasizing that safeguarding their right to education means ensuring their ability, wherever they are, to continue learning within a safe and supportive environment.

In East Jerusalem, the agency explained that its 6 schools remain forcibly closed by Israeli authorities since May 2025, affecting about 800 Palestinian refugee children. It pointed out that recent Israeli incursions and measures at the Kalandia Training Center threaten the continuity of its educational and training activities.

The agency reaffirmed its role in providing education and building opportunities for generations of Palestinian refugees, stressing that education is a right for every child and that schools and educational facilities must remain safe and protected spaces that allow children to continue learning and building their future.