During a press conference announcing the results, Minister of Education and Higher Education Amjad Barham said that the school year took place amid unprecedented targeting of the education system. He noted that the occupation forces had completely destroyed 27 schools in Gaza, and that more than 16,000 students and approximately 750 teachers had been martyred since the start of the aggression, according to the Palestinian News Agency, WAFA.
Barham added that students in Gaza, and in governorates such as Jenin and Tulkarm, sat for their exams despite the incursions, displacement, and the presence of tanks, emphasizing that the Palestinian will prevailed, repeating on behalf of the students: "We may be displaced, but we are determined to rejoice."
Approximately 52,000 students took the exam this year, including 2,000 students from outside Palestine in 37 countries. Three halls were allocated in hospitals, and special exams were conducted for six students from Deir Istiya who were arrested during the exam period.
The Minister commended the success of the electronic exam experiment in the Gaza Strip, stressing that it represents a step toward developing the assessment system, including utilizing a "question bank." He revealed that work has begun on developing the "Tawjihi" system, which will be implemented over two academic years.
Regarding Gaza students born in 2006 and 2007, Barham indicated that the ministry is committed to enabling them to sit for exams soon, adding that what was achieved with the 2005 students is a first step on this path, and that efforts are continuing to ensure everyone's right to education.
In concluding his speech, he called on the students and their families to celebrate their results with a disciplined spirit and consideration for the people of Gaza, saying, "Rejoice, but in silence, and let us all succeed in the test of compassion and unity of feeling."
According to the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), more than 650,000 students have been unable to access education since the beginning of the Israeli aggression, including nearly 40,000 students who were unable to pass their university entrance exams.
Earlier, UNICEF said that more than 17,000 children were killed and 33,000 others injured in the Gaza Strip during the past 21 months of war, at a rate of 28 children killed every day, "the equivalent of an entire school class every day," according to the organization.
