- Title: Home learning in Gaza hindered by blackouts and poverty
- Date: 30th September 2020
- Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) RASEEL'S MOTHER, YASMINE HUSSEIN, SAYING: "Because I am at home now, I take more care of my children and try to fill the free time created by not going to school. They don't even go to play outside, so I try to compensate for that at home, using mobile phones, setting time for them to share the mobile phones to develop their skills and knowledge." GAZA CITY, GAZA (SEPTEMBER 23, 2020) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF EXTERIORS OF GAZA'S EDUCATION MINISTRY (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) OFFICIAL AT GAZA'S EDUCATION MINISTRY, MOATASEM AL-MINAWAI, SAYING: "We are waiting for a recommendation from the health ministry to go back to schools. But even when we return to schools it will be part-time, whereby students will only go in three days a week, and the number of students will not be more than 25 per class." GAZA CITY, GAZA (SEPTEMBER 22, 2020) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF EXTERIORS OF CLOSED SCHOOL GAZA CITY, GAZA (SEPTEMBER 29, 2020) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF SUNSET OVER REFUGEE CAMP AT GAZA BEACH
- Embargoed: 14th October 2020 11:38
- Keywords: COVID-19 Gaza Schooling children coronavirus education electricity
- Location: GAZA CITY, GAZA
- City: GAZA CITY, GAZA
- Country: Palestinian Territories
- Topics: Middle East
- Reuters ID: LVA007CXVS579
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Routine blackouts and shaky internet service have made remote learning in the Gaza Strip a challenge for students during the coronavirus pandemic.
With schools closed across the Palestinian enclave since a lockdown in August, hundreds of thousands of students have been stuck at home and learning has moved online.
In Gaza, where poverty is rampant and infrastructure lacking, siblings are often left to argue over precious screen time during the hours when the power is on.
On average, Gazans in the Hamas Islamist-run territory get eight hours of electricity a day from its lone generating plant and Israeli power lines. Most families are dependent on foreign aid and struggle to pay for internet or buy extra computers or phones.
"We have to wait until electricity is back so we can recharge the phones," said 10th grader Raseel Hussein. "Work is sent over the internet and we have to download it, and that depends on how weak or strong the signal is."
Hamas declared a lockdown on August 24 after the first cases of coronavirus were reported outside of quarantine facilities for people entering Gaza. Since then there have been 2,800 cases and 20 people died.
Gaza is home to two million Palestinians in cities, towns and refugee camps squeezed within an area of 360 square km (139 square miles), with its borders sealed off by neighbouring Israel and Egypt.
The lockdown has been partially eased but schools, mosques, and other public facilities remain closed. A nightly curfew is in effect.
Moatasem Al-Minawai, an official with Gaza's education ministry, said challenges will continue even after schools reopen. With limitations on classroom attendance, students will be in school only part-time.
(Production: Arafat Barbakh, Mohammed Shana, Nihad Khalil, Mustafa Abu Ganeyeh) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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