Gaza Students Overcome Israel’s Genocide to Mark Tawjihi Results
In a remarkable display of resilience, thousands of Palestinian high school students in Gaza have successfully completed this year’s Tawjihi exams despite the ongoing genocide and displacement that has ravaged their community. The Musa family from Khan Younis is among those who achieved outstanding results, with siblings Sama, Abdullah, and Nada scoring 97.5%, 94.6%, and 94.4% respectively.
The journey to achieving these grades was not without its challenges. For three of the siblings, their parents’ support played a crucial role in helping them push through difficulties that would have otherwise deterred them from pursuing higher education. Despite physical disabilities affecting Abdullah’s ability to attend private lessons, his family arranged for teachers to come to their home and provide individualized attention.
The Musa family’s determination was evident in the words of Sama Musa, who achieved the highest grade among the siblings: “Thank God for everything. I expected a higher grade, but the circumstances determined the result we achieved.” His mother Hind Muhanna attributes her children’s success to years of care and support from their parents.
In an environment that makes life unbearable for Palestinians, thousands of students in Gaza worked hard over the year to prepare themselves for the exams. According to Palestinian Minister of Education Amjad Barham, more than 106,000 students have taken the Tawjihi exams since 2018, including 36,900 students in 2026.
The United Nations has reported that nearly 92% of education facilities in Gaza require full reconstruction or major rehabilitation after two years of war. The organization’s assessment highlights the dire need for support and resources to rebuild educational infrastructure in the region.
Despite these challenges, the Tawjihi results this year reflect a remarkable commitment to education among Palestinian students. Hanaa al-Sayed, a mathematics teacher at an educational centre in Deir el-Balah, central Gaza, has been instrumental in supporting her students through difficult circumstances. She treats them not just as students but also as children, providing emotional support and care.
Inside the school, which serves as a shelter for displaced people, children sat on mats during lessons despite the lack of desks or chairs. Despite these conditions, they insisted on continuing their education. “There were no desks or chairs,” said Hanaa al-Sayed. “The school was divided between Tawjihi students and displaced people, but we insisted on continuing education.”
Palestinians have demonstrated a remarkable resilience in the face of adversity over the past decades, with many returning to school after displacement and hardship. The Tawjihi results this year reflect this determination.
As the United Nations noted earlier, more than 97% of schools in Gaza are damaged or destroyed since two years of war began. However, despite these challenges, thousands of students have continued their education, including those who had lost hope before the war.
The success of Palestinian students like Sama Musa and Hanaa al-Sayed serves as a testament to the power of education in overcoming adversity. As one teacher noted, “Education is not just about passing exams; it’s about creating opportunities for our children to build their future.”
Source: Al Jazeera
Based on reporting from Al Jazeera.
