UN Experts Alarm Over Systematic Destruction of Education in Gaza, Label It ‘Scholasticide’

Geneva, United Nations experts today voiced their grave concerns about the continuous and deliberate attacks on educational institutions in Gaza, describing the phenomenon as ‘scholasticide’ the intentional obliteration of a society’s education system.

According to Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the situation in Gaza has reached a critical point, with over 80% of educational facilities either damaged or destroyed, suggesting a targeted effort to dismantle Palestinian educational infrastructure. The term ‘scholasticide’ reflects the severe actions taken against educational entities, including the arrest, detention, or killing of teachers, students, and staff, as well as the destruction of schools, universities, and libraries.

The destruction has resulted in the deaths of 5,479 students, 261 teachers, and 95 university professors, with 7,819 students and 756 teachers injured. The conflict has left approximately 625,000 students without access to education and has extended to damaging 195 heritage sites, 227 mosques, three churches, and the Central Archives of Gaza, which contained 150 years of historical records. Israa University, Gaza’s last standing university, was demolished on January 17, 2024.

The experts highlighted that this strategic decimation of educational facilities not only deprives individuals of their right to learn and express themselves but also destroys the social fabric and future prospects of entire generations. They emphasized that the ongoing military assaults, even targeting UN schools designated as “safe zones,” form a clear pattern of violence intended to collapse the foundational aspects of Palestinian society.

The statement from the UN experts also stressed the broader impacts, including increased risks of gender-based violence due to the lack of safe educational spaces and the significant psychological toll on over one million children in need of mental health support.

Urging all parties to adhere to international humanitarian and human rights law, the experts specifically reminded Israel of its obligations under the International Court of Justice’s orders from January 26. They called for immediate international action to ensure accountability and reparations, including the financing of education system rebuilding efforts in Gaza.

The international community was implored to unequivocally condemn these attacks and to hold those responsible accountable, to safeguard the right to education and to foster a peaceful and just future for the children of Gaza.