As the principal of a century-old girls’ school in the heart of Hebron, Dr. Reem Alshareef has witnessed firsthand the harsh realities of educating young minds under the shadow of occupation. With a background in international law and human rights, Dr Alshareef spent years navigating the complexities of a school system that is frequently disrupted by political turmoil and war, most recently exacerbated by the ongoing war in Gaza.
Hebron, a city steeped in history and marred by division, operates under a unique and challenging set of circumstances. The 1997 Hebron Protocol, which split the city into H1, under Palestinian control, and H2, under Israeli control, continues to shape the daily lives of its residents. Dr. Alshareef’s school is located in this fragmented city, serving students who come from both the old city and the surrounding areas, all of which are affected by the ongoing Israeli occupation.
The school has been in operation since 1922 and stands as a testament to resilience. However, this resilience is constantly tested by the ongoing military occupation. Dr. Alshareef reflects on how her initial hopes of using international law to advocate for human rights have been dashed by the harsh realities of life under occupation. “International law is not written for us, and it does not serve us,” she notes, highlighting the disillusionment many Palestinians feel toward global legal frameworks.
The recent war in Gaza has had a profound impact on the educational system in the West Bank, including Hebron. Schools that were scheduled to open in late August have been forced to delay their start until September 9 due to the ongoing violence in the area and the logistical challenges it has created. The Tawjihi, the final exams which generally take place in June, were postponed for two weeks, which then postponed the second round of final exams in mid-August, leading to a cascade of delays affecting the entire school calendar.
For Dr. Alshareef’s school, this delay is not just a matter of shifting dates. The economic struggle due to the war on Gaza has also affected the financial stability of teachers, many of whom have not received their full salaries. “The government only paid some teachers 80% of their salary, which is already low,” Dr. Alshareef explains. This financial strain has added another layer of difficulty to an already challenging situation, with the possibility of teacher strikes looming if the situation does not improve.
The COVID-19 pandemic introduced additional complications to an already fragile educational system. Like schools worldwide, Dr. Alshareef’s school had to adapt to remote learning almost overnight. However, the transition was far from smooth. The school closed on March 8, 2020, and remained shut for the remainder of the school year. When classes resumed, they did so under strict protocols that limited the number of students in each classroom. They split classes into smaller groups that alternated between in-person and online learning.
For a school serving a primarily discriminated and poor community, the shift to online education was particularly challenging. “Less than 50% of the students were online,” Dr. Alshareef recalls, noting that many families could not afford the necessary devices or reliable internet access. Over time, more students managed to get online, but the disparities in access and the uneven quality of education persisted.
These challenges were compounded by the need to prioritize certain subjects over others, leading to a curriculum that was stripped down to its essentials. The result was a drop in the school’s overall exam pass rate, from 84% in the previous year to 78% this year. “It was a very tough job to run this school,” Dr. Alshareef admits, highlighting the immense pressure on educators to deliver quality education under such constraints.
Beyond the logistical and financial hurdles, the ongoing war has taken a significant psychological toll on students, particularly the younger ones. While older students are primarily focused on their exams and less directly affected by the news, younger students are more vulnerable to the stress and fear that comes with living in the occupied West Bank. “The students younger than 12th grade are very affected by this war because they have time to watch the news,” Dr. Alshareef notes.
To address these mental health challenges, the school has a social worker who visits monthly to help students express their thoughts and emotions through writing, painting, or talking. The school also takes extraordinary measures to protect students who live in particularly volatile areas, sometimes sending them home early or allowing them to participate in classes via video chat if it’s too dangerous for them to attend in person.
As the new school year approaches, Dr. Alshareef hopes for a return to some semblance of normalcy. However, she remains cautious. The ongoing war, teachers’ financial instability, and the lingering effects of the pandemic all threaten to disrupt the educational process once again. “If we do not get paid 100%, teachers will go on strike after one or two months,” she warns.
Despite these challenges, Dr. Alshareef’s dedication to her students remains unwavering. She dreams of a day when her students can attend school safely, with enough money to buy a sandwich and focus on their studies. “I wish we could work every day, “she says, encapsulating the hopes of countless educators and students across the region who long for peace and stability.
Education is the cornerstone of an informed and successful society. Even under the best circumstances, teachers face immense challenges. They are underpaid and censored by the Israeli government, which restricts their ability to teach the entire history of their nation. A nation that is unaware of its origins risks losing its identity. The decisions made by the Israeli government are directly or indirectly impacting the education of Palestinian children. This is not merely a symptom of the ongoing occupation but a targeted effort against the future of Palestinian society. Despite the oppression and obstacles imposed by both the Palestinian Authority and the Israeli government, teachers strive to nurture a strong and educated generation. They are true heroes of Palestine.