Introduction

Education constitutes the cornerstone of building and developing societies, and under the exceptional circumstances experienced by the Gaza Strip, discussing the reality of education gains doubled importance. This research aims to analyze the results of a field survey on parental participation in the educational process and the challenges they face, in order to understand the true educational situation from the perspective of Palestinian families in the Strip

Research Methodology

This research relied on a field survey that included a sample of parents in the Gaza Strip, where a set of pivotal questions were posed about their participation in their children’s education, the challenges they face, and the impact of war on children’s psychological state regarding education

Results and Analysis

First: Direct Parental Participation in Home Education

The results indicate that the overwhelming majority of parents (72.42%) participate directly in teaching their children at home, a high percentage that reflects growing awareness of the importance of the family role in the educational process. In contrast, 21.21% of participants reported a lack of educational resources and capabilities, while a small percentage (5.45%) pointed to a shortage of schools and teachers themselves

These data reveal a complex reality: on one hand, there is clear family commitment to following up on children’s academic achievement, and on the other hand, families face a deficit in the material resources and capabilities necessary for the success of this mission.

Second: Main Challenges in Children’s Education

When asked about the most prominent problems parents face in educating their children, the results were as follows:

Lack of schools and teachers: Only 5.45% identified this as a major challenge

Lack of capabilities and resources: 21.21% considered this the biggest challenge

All of the above: The vast majority (72.42%) believed that all these factors combined constitute the real obstacle

This result is highly significant, as it indicates that the educational crisis in Gaza is not one-dimensional, but rather a complex crisis in which structural deficiencies (schools and teachers) overlap with material deficiencies (resources and capabilities). This diagnosis requires comprehensive and integrated solutions that are not limited to just one aspect.

Third: The Impact of War on Children’s Psychological State

This section is among the most alarming in the survey results. When asked about how war affects children’s psychological state regarding education, the answers were shocking:

Major negative impact: 90.3% of parents confirmed that war has a major negative impact on their children’s psychology from an educational standpoint

Moderate impact: Only 5.15%

Minor impact: 1.82%

No impact: A very small percentage (0.91%)

These figures reveal a human and educational catastrophe, where children live in a state of psychological trauma that hinders their ability to learn and achieve academically. War does not only destroy infrastructure, but leaves deep traces in children’s souls that affect their educational and professional future.

Fourth: Education as Hope for the Future

Despite all the challenges and suffering, the results show strong adherence to education as a path to salvation. When asked about the possibility of education being a hope for the future despite all circumstances, the answers came as follows:

Yes, education is the only hope: 79.09% – a percentage that reflects deep faith in the power of education

Little hope: 6.97%

Difficult currently: 7.58%

No, I have no hope: 5.15%

This result carries a message of hope and resilience. Despite the destruction, siege, and war, the Palestinian people in Gaza still believe that education is the most powerful weapon for building the future. This faith constitutes enormous social and psychological capital that can be built upon in reconstruction and advancement efforts

Recommendations

Based on the results of this survey, we recommend the following:

Develop comprehensive psychological support programs for children to address the effects of war on their ability to learn

Provide basic educational resources to families to enable them to fulfill their role in home education

Train parents in effective teaching methods under difficult circumstances

Rebuild and rehabilitate destroyed schools and provide a safe educational environment

Invest in popular faith in education as a driver for sustainable development projects

Conclusion

This survey reveals a difficult and complex educational reality in the Gaza Strip, but at the same time shows exceptional resilience and deep faith in the importance of education. The biggest challenge lies in the psychological effects of war on children, which requires urgent and comprehensive intervention. Investing in this popular faith in education, providing necessary resources, and caring for children’s mental health are all essential elements for building a better future for Gaza’s coming generations