BETHLEHEM, Monday, May 8, 2023 (WAFA) – The first to fourth-grade students of Jibb al-Deeb school in Beit Ta’mar village, east of Bethlehem, today returned to their studies after activists rebuilt their school, which was demolished yesterday by the Israeli occupation forces. Members of the Wall and Settlement Resistance Commission and residents of Beit Tamar put up two large tents to make it possible for the 60 boys and girls who attend the school to return to their normal studies. ‘We worked with the Wall and Settlement Resistance Commission and the parents to rebuild the school by putting up two tents and providing chairs, benches, and all that is needed to provide the right environment for education in the school,’ said the Director of Education in Bethlehem, Bassam Jabr: He pointed out that psychological counselors will be present in the school until the end of the school year to provide all assistance and support to students. School principal, Sherine Abu Taha, said a large number of students came to the school today and that first and second-grade classes were merged, as well as the third and fourth graders to use the space efficiently, stressing that all efforts will be exerted to help the students complete the school year successfully. Counseling staff member Najah Suleiman said that she wanted to be with the students today to listen to their concerns and fears and help them overcome the situation through various events and activities and to help them express their feelings and talk about what happened to their school through drawing and speaking about it. Jibb al-Deeb school was named “Challenge 5 School”. It was named like this, along with other schools with a similar situation, to affirm a will to provide students in marginalized communities in Area C of the occupied West Bank, which is under full Israeli military and settlers’ control, with a chance to study and attend school despite attempts by the Israeli occupation authorities to prevent them from building schools or pursuing normal life in their communities. The occupation authorities prohibit any change or construction in Area C, which includes 61% of the West Bank, without a permit, which is impossible to obtain. By demolishing the Challenge schools, Israel seeks to obstruct the access of children and students to their schools and deprive them of receiving education in a safe and stable educational environment, especially in communities where students need to walk long distances to reach their schools. The Israeli occupation authorities have demolished 11 schools in Area C since 2016.

Source: En – Palestine news & Information Agency – WAFA