Palestinian Ambassador To Nigeria Laments Denial Of Palestinian Students Rights To Education Following Gaza Conflict
Princess-Ekwi Ajide
Owing to the situation in Gaza, more than 630,000 Palestinian students are being denied their basic right to education even as the world marks the International Day to Protect Education from Attack.
The Ambassador of the Embassy of the State of Palestine to Nigeria, Abdullah Shawesh, shared these facts during his weekly briefing with journalists in Abuja.
He revealed that, tragically, the day also marked what should have been the start of the 2024-2025 school year in Palestine; yet, 58,000 students have been unable to enroll in universities, and 39,000 have been prevented from sitting for their high school exams.
The Ambassador further lamented the devastating impact of the war on education, saying over 25,000 students have been killed, injured, or permanently maimed, and 90% of government school buildings destroyed.
Ambassador Shawesh explained that most schools run by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, which remain standing, have been converted into shelters for internally displaced persons.
He also called attention to the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where Palestinians who according to him, make up 80% of the population, are facing increasing death tolls and unimaginable suffering.