In the four ‘tent’ schools we’ve set up across Gaza, children learn the core subjects that you will be familiar with on a curriculum: Arabic, English Maths. But they also learn lessons we wish they didn’t have to: about unexploded ordnance.
These are critically important for these children who have been locked out of any formal education for 18 months.
But – alongside these core subjects – every schoolchild in Gaza has another core subject that they must study: how to survive.
These are the lessons we emphasise to help kids stay alive during this genocide, but which we sincerely wish the kids just didn’t have to learn.
The dangers of unexploded ordnance
Over the course of Israel’s assault on Gaza since October 2023, Israel has dropped 70,000 tonnes of bombs on the 141 square mile Gaza Strip.
Most have caused catastrophic destruction of civilian infrastructure – homes, schools and universities, health facilities – and death for tens of thousands of innocent children, women and men.
Yet, UN Mine Action Service estimates that between five to 10 percent of all weapons fired into Gaza have failed to detonate. This leaves behind deadly hazards – especially for children. These objects look strange, interesting and some even toy-like for children who are most susceptible to picking these dangerous objects up, putting their lives at risk.
In our tent schools, teachers have found interesting and creative ways to teach this scary, but critically important lesson. Through arts and crafts, children learn the important messages: Be careful where you walk, don’t pick up strange objects, report any unexploded ordnance you find.
It’s an essential lesson for any child in Gaza now, but one we really wish they didn’t have to learn.