For the first time since the war began in October 2023, around 1,500 high school students in Gaza are sitting for their end-of-secondary-school exams under extraordinary conditions. The Ministry of Education in the besieged enclave launched an online examination platform to allow students to complete their final assessments despite the ongoing Israeli bombardment that has devastated Gaza’s education system and infrastructure. With most schools destroyed and traditional classrooms reduced to rubble, students are attempting to log in and take the exam from shelters, tents, and even cafes – wherever a working device and internet connection can be found.

The new online system, introduced by the ministry, is Gaza’s first digital platform for final exams and aims to provide a pathway to university studies and scholarships. However, students face immense challenges, including poor internet access, lack of devices, and unsafe environments. Many students lost their textbooks in the attacks, and some teachers have reopened damaged classrooms to offer in-person support. Despite all odds, the students' determination to sit for these exams highlights their resilience and refusal to let war steal their futures.

According to the United Nations, more than 95% of Gaza’s educational infrastructure has been destroyed, leaving over 660,000 children out of school. Former UN-run schools now serve as shelters for displaced families and continue to face Israeli airstrikes. A recent UN Human Rights Council report accused Israeli forces of systematically targeting educational institutions in Gaza, describing the actions as potential war crimes. Still, amid the chaos, Gaza’s youth push forward, determined to secure an education in the face of adversity.