Compelled by Israeli restrictions and conflict, Hebron students resort to distance education
In the city of Hebron, Palestinian students are grappling with the challenges of online learning due to Israeli military restrictions and road closures. The impact of these circumstances on the educational landscape is multifaceted, intertwined with the broader educational and socio-political context of the area.
One of the most significant issues faced by students is the limited physical mobility caused by roadblocks, checkpoints, and the presence of the Israeli military. These obstacles make attending in-person classes a challenge or even impossible for many students.
In response, online learning has emerged as a critical alternative for Palestinian students in Hebron. Organizations such as Go Palestine (The Palestinian Center) and the Excellence Center offer a variety of online courses and programs, including Arabic language, English teaching, human rights, media, and other subjects relevant to Palestinian culture and society.
These online programs provide flexible access to education, overcoming barriers posed by movement restrictions. They offer a range of courses, enabling students to continue learning despite limited physical access to schools or universities. The online format compensates for interruptions caused by closures and military operations by allowing students to engage in language learning, cultural education, and professional development remotely.
However, these military restrictions still impose significant challenges. Intermittent internet access or power outages due to the unstable situation in Hebron can disrupt online learning. Psychological stress and insecurity from the conflict environment may affect students’ ability to focus and perform academically. While online learning offers continuity, it cannot fully replace the social and community aspects of in-person education, which are particularly important for young Palestinians facing occupation realities.
Despite these challenges, parents and students are resilient in their pursuit of education. Murad, a 10-year-old boy, prefers face-to-face classes over online learning, but his family struggles to meet the financial requirements of online lessons, as a smartphone for each child could cost around 500 shekels ($132). Sharif, the father of Murad and Ramez, stated that online education is full of challenges, but they will try to help their children reach a safe zone, not at the expense of their neighborhoods that are in danger of being stolen by Israeli settlers and the Israeli army.
Ramez, an 11-year-old boy, attends online classes for grade six and misses face-to-face classes. Haneen Abu-Shamsiya, an eight-year-old girl, has been forced into online learning due to Israeli military restrictions around Hebron. Haneen is a grade-three pupil at Qurtuba school, one of the few schools providing online education in Hebron. Only four schools in the Old City of Hebron have turned to distance learning, with lessons set via Microsoft Teams or Zoom.
Atef al-Gamal, head of the Palestinian education authority in Hebron, is working hard to find a solution for students to resume face-to-face tuition. However, Sharif suggested that withdrawing the students from Qurtuba and registering them in other schools that are in accessible areas could put these institutions at risk of being taken over by Israeli settlers.
In conclusion, online learning acts as a crucial educational lifeline for Palestinian students in Hebron, mitigating the impact of Israeli military restrictions and road closures by providing accessible and varied educational programs. This digital adaptation helps sustain educational opportunities but within a context still heavily affected by conflict and movement constraints.
References: [1] Go Palestine (The Palestinian Center) [2] Excellence Center [3] Palestinian education ministry report on school attacks (7 October – 13 February) [4] Various news articles on the impact of Israeli military restrictions on education in Hebron.
- Online learning platforms like Go Palestine and the Excellence Center offer a wide range of courses, including media, human rights, and English teaching, providing Palestinian students in Hebron with alternative access to education due to the physical mobility challenges posed by Israeli military restrictions and road closures.
- Despite the benefits of online learning, interruptions due to unstable internet access or power outages and the psychological stress caused by the conflict environment may hinder students' ability to focus and perform academically.
- The general news landscape has analyzed the impact of Israeli military restrictions on education in Hebron, highlighting the resilience of parents and students as they navigate these challenges, with several news articles available on this topic.
- In the broader context of education-and-self-development and politics, Palestinian education authority officials in Hebron are working towards finding solutions for students to resume face-to-face tuition, while considering potential risks associated with withdrawing students from schools and registering them in other accessible areas.
