Gaza students sit exams for first time since war began in October, 2023

On July 19, 2025, about 1,500 students in Gaza quietly logged in from their homes, community centers, or whatever safe spaces they could find to take their Tawjihi exams. For the first time since the devastating war began in October 2023, these young people had the chance to sit for an important milestone in their education. It was more than just a test; it was a moment of hope, resilience, and a small but powerful reclaiming of normal life amid years of unimaginable hardship.

Since the war erupted nearly two years ago, Gaza has faced relentless destruction. Homes, schools, hospitals, and public services have been severely damaged or destroyed. Daily life is marked by uncertainty, fear, and struggle. Electricity is scarce, internet access is unreliable, and many families have lost everything. In this environment, education became a distant dream for many students who were forced to abandon their studies as the conflict tore through their neighborhoods.

The Tawjihi exam, Palestine’s crucial high school matriculation test, is a defining moment for every student. Passing it opens doors to universities, scholarships, and the opportunity to pursue dreams despite the challenges of growing up in a conflict zone. But when the war broke out, the exams had to be postponed indefinitely. Thousands of young people were left suspended in time, uncertain about their futures.

Yet, amid the rubble and despair, the Ministry of Education refused to give up on its students. With determination and creativity, they devised a plan to hold the exams remotely using digital platforms. This was no small feat in Gaza’s fragile conditions. It meant ensuring students had devices, internet access, and quiet places to take their exams — no easy task when many homes lack electricity or safe spaces to study.

On the day of the exams, a quiet courage filled the air. Students like Nour, a 17-year-old from Gaza City, shared how difficult it was to concentrate, but how important it was to try. “Taking this exam means more than just a grade,” she said softly. “It means we are still here. We are still fighting for our future even when everything feels so dark.”

For many families, the exams brought a bittersweet mix of hope and anxiety. Parents watched their children prepare in the face of so many obstacles. “Education is the greatest gift we can give our children,” said one mother from Khan Younis. “These exams are about survival — survival of our dreams, our dignity, and our future.”

The exams went ahead with the support of teachers and volunteers who helped students overcome technical difficulties and offered words of encouragement. Despite the unstable electricity and patchy internet connections, the students persevered. Their determination to continue learning in the midst of conflict sent a clear message: war may disrupt their lives but it cannot break their spirit.

Education in Gaza has long been more than a path to a career. It is an act of resistance, a way for young Palestinians to assert their identity and their hope for peace and freedom. Schools and universities, even when damaged, remain beacons of light and possibility.

While this year’s exams mark an important step, the challenges remain enormous. Many students still struggle with trauma, lack of resources, and limited access to technology. Gaza’s infrastructure is fragile and rebuilding will take time. But this moment shows that with resilience and support, even the harshest circumstances cannot silence the desire to learn and grow.

As these students look ahead, their success in taking the Tawjihi exams represents not just personal achievement but collective courage. It is a reminder to the world that amid war and hardship, hope persists.

The road ahead is difficult and uncertain. But for Gaza’s youth, every page turned, every answer written, and every dream held tight is a testament to the enduring strength of the human spirit and the belief that a better future is possible.