Taj Suleiman, Director of Communications and Private Sector Partnerships at Qatar’s Education Above All Foundation, announced that Qatar is exploring options to restore the education sector in Gaza.
This initiative aims to reintegrate thousands of students who have lost their educational opportunities due to the ongoing Israeli war on Gaza, which has lasted for nine months.
In an interview with Sputnik, Suleiman stated, “One of our programs aims to uphold children’s right to education.
Globally, we are the fourth-largest partner of UNICEF in terms of work volume and assistance provided to youth, comparable to organizations like Save the Children.”
The foundation’s programs target various age groups, with a notable initiative being the Al Fakhoora program.
Established in 2009, it was named after a UN school in Gaza destroyed by the Israeli army and aims to help Gaza’s youth attain higher education.
Qatari Contributions to Gaza
Hani Shehadeh, head of the Al Fakhoora Youth Program at the Education Above All Foundation, highlighted Qatar’s efforts in rebuilding over 100 educational institutions in Gaza following the 2014 war.
“During the 2014 war, more than 100 different educational institutions in Gaza were destroyed. The Education Above All Foundation restored and rebuilt all of them, including schools and universities,” Shehadeh noted.
He added that the foundation improved these buildings with unique architectural solutions, enabling them to serve not only educational purposes but also as cultural centres and shelters during conflicts.
However, the recent war in Gaza caused unprecedented destruction, resulting in the complete or partial destruction of these restored educational institutions once again.
Shehadeh also mentioned that the Al Fakhoora House, established by the foundation in Gaza City as a hub for students and their families to engage in educational programs, cultural projects, and recreational activities, did not escape the Israeli bombing.
