On Teacher's Day .. More than 800 Teachers Have Been Martyred Since the Genocide War

Ramallah - Afaq News - The Ministry of Education and Higher Education stated that since the beginning of the genocide war on October 7, 2023, more than 800 teachers have been martyred, and more than 3,300 have been injured with varying degrees of wounds, while more than 170 others have been arrested under harsh conditions.

The ministry added in a statement today, Sunday, on the occasion of World Teachers' Day, that this year's World Teachers' Day comes under the slogan: "Supporting Teachers: 60 Years of Protecting This Profession and Improving Its Conditions and Shaping Our Future"; carrying historical symbolism that embodies sixty years of humanity's struggle to protect the teaching profession and improve the conditions of its teachers.

The statement continued: At a time when the world recalls this slogan to address the challenges and strategies necessary to elevate the educational message, the Palestinian teacher stands at the heart of the field, embodying the most wonderful images of steadfastness and loyalty to his mission, and is engaged in a real battle for existence to protect the right to education under the most severe conditions of aggression and systematic targeting.

It pointed to the suffering of teachers that is doubling daily due to field pursuit and the increasing restrictions on freedom of movement through hundreds of occupation checkpoints; especially in Masafer Yatta, Al-Mughayer, the Jordan Valley, and the areas classified as (C), accompanied by the continued detention of the occupation of clearance funds, which has resulted in living and economic crises that have directly and painfully affected the material and psychological stability of the educational family.

The ministry expressed its deep pride in the pioneering role embodied by our teachers in various parts of the homeland, stating: "This is an occasion to extend thanks and appreciation to our teachers, and to the teachers of Gaza who were not deterred by the rubble, the bombing, or the displacement of tents from performing their duty, as they were able to transform tents and displacement centers into lively classrooms, and to their colleagues in the virtual schools in the West Bank who continued their journey with great competence; to ensure the continuity of the educational process for our students in Gaza, and to the steadfast teachers in Jerusalem in their schools despite the racist occupation policies.

The statement affirmed that this resilience has resulted in inspiring success stories where challenges have turned into opportunities for renewal and creativity; the Palestinian teacher has proven to be a true community leader by innovating educational initiatives, technological solutions, and educational alternatives from within the siege, conveying Palestine's message clearly to the entire world that the will to learn and educate is stronger and more enduring than the machinery of war and destruction.

The Ministry of Education and Higher Education called on the international community, the United Nations, and educational, human rights, and humanitarian organizations, led by "UNESCO" and "UNICEF", to take urgent action to curb the ongoing violations of the occupation against the education sector, and to work immediately to provide international protection for educational staff and students.

It also urged all educational unions and syndicates and the free people of the world to intensify advocacy and defend the rights of the Palestinian teacher, to pressure for the release of detained teachers, and to urgently release withheld financial entitlements, ensuring the teacher's right to live with dignity and to safely carry out their noble mission.