LocationsUNDP, the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, and Education Above All Foundation Complete 100 Learning Spaces Across 10 School Sites to Restore Access to Education in Gaza
May 7, 2026
The Gaza Strip – State of Palestine- The United Nations Development Programme/Programme of Assistance to the Palestinian People (UNDP/PAPP), in partnership with the Ministry of Education and Higher Education and the Gaza Culture and Development Group and with generous support from Education Above All Foundation (EAA), with support from the Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD), has completed civil works for 100 learning spaces, organized across 10 school sites throughout the Gaza Strip, to help restore access to education for children affected by the war.
This intervention forms part of the broader partnership “Rebuilding Hope for Gaza: Emergency Support for High School Exam (Tawjihi) for Gaza Students,” aimed at restoring safe learning environments and supporting the continuity of national education processes.
The works included the installation of protective fencing, followed by the setup of transitional-structured school units, marking a critical step towards restoring access to formal education for up to 90,000 students whose schools have been destroyed or rendered unusable.
“The completion of these 100 learning spaces reflects UNDP’s commitment to supporting early recovery and restoring essential services in Gaza. Education is a cornerstone of resilience, and this intervention goes beyond infrastructure to help re-establish functioning systems that allow students to continue learning and communities to regain a sense of stability. Through partnerships with national institutions and international partners, we are working to create the conditions for children and youth to access safe, structured education and to contribute to the longer-term recovery in Gaza” said Jaco Cilliers, Special Representative of the Administrator.
This partnership moves beyond the concept of temporary learning spaces, aiming instead to re-establish structured, functional school environments that can support formal education. The 10 school sites, located across North Gaza, Gaza City, and the Middle Area, contribute to more equitable access to education during a period of immense need.
“Launching this project represents a fundamental pillar in the Ministry's recovery plan, which places the restoration of in-person education in the Gaza Strip at the forefront of its strategic priorities,” said H.E. Dr. Amjad Barham, Minister of Education and Higher Education. "Enabling students to return to well-equipped classrooms is essential to safeguarding their right to a dignified future. These schools will complement virtual school initiatives to address learning loss and support exam preparation."
"The ultimate goal of this intervention is to enable the in-person administration of the General Secondary Examination (Tawjihi), ensuring fairness and equal opportunities for students in the Gaza Strip,” the Minister added, expressing appreciation to the UNDP and Education Above All Foundation for their genuine commitment to rebuilding education in Palestine.
Mohammed Al-Kubaisi, Chief Executive Officer of Education Above All Foundation, said: “Education is a lifeline for children and youth in Gaza. The completion of these 100 learning spaces represents an important step towards restoring hope, dignity, and a pathway back to learning for thousands of students whose education has been interrupted by conflict. Through our partnership with UNDP/PAPP, and the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, and with the support of Qatar Fund for Development, Education Above All Foundation remains committed to supporting practical solutions that help children continue their education, even in the most difficult circumstances.”
The intervention is aligned with UNDP’s neighbourhood-based approach, with school locations strategically selected within the same communities to complement ongoing efforts to restore basic services and social infrastructure. In this context, Relief Units (RHUs) will be repurposed to support school administration and storage functions, alongside the provision of latrine facilities to ensure safe and dignified learning conditions.
This strengthened network of schools and learning centers will play a pivotal role in enabling the Ministry of Education and Higher Education to conduct the Tawjihi (General Secondary) examinations, scheduled to begin on 20 June 2026. This will mark the first round of in-person Tawjihi examinations in Gaza since 2023, following the participation of over 60,000 students in examinations conducted earlier this year, with the remaining 30,000 students scheduled to sit for their exams in cycles starting in June. The milestone represents an important step toward restoring formal education pathways and national assessment systems for students across the Gaza Strip.
For further information, please contact:
Musa Khalil, Head of Communication Unit, E-mail: musa.khalil@undp.org. Tel: +972 6268200, Mobile: +972 54 5748761 For more information about UNDP/PAPP visit www.ps.undp.org
About the Education Above All (EAA) Foundation
The Education Above All (EAA) Foundation is a global foundation established in 2012 by Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser. EAA Foundation aims to transform lives through education and employment opportunities. We believe that education is the single most effective means of reducing poverty, creating peaceful and just societies, unlocking the full potential of every child and youth, and creating the right conditions to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Through our multi-sectoral approach, unique financing models, focus on innovation as a tool for social good, and partnerships, we aim to bring hope and real opportunities to the lives of marginalised children and youth.
