Around 846,000 Palestinian students return to school in the West Bank

Ramallah (ANTARA) - Around 846,000 Palestinian students across the West Bank returned to school on Monday (6 September), marking the start of the new 2026/2027 academic year.

They are enrolled at 2,537 public and private schools, as well as schools run by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), under the supervision of some 54,000 teachers.

According to data from the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, 634,294 students are enrolled at 1,967 public schools and 163,787 students at 480 private schools.

In addition, 48,208 students are also enrolled at 90 UNRWA schools.

Meanwhile, the teaching workforce comprises 40,747 teachers at public schools, 11,578 at private schools and 1,871 at UNRWA schools, bringing the total to 54,196.

In the Gaza Strip, the new academic year will begin on 16 September for administrative staff and teachers, while students are expected to resume classroom learning on 19 September.

The ministry is preparing around 700 in-person learning points and 25 emergency schools in Gaza, whilst continuing virtual education for students unable to access in-person learning.

These measures are expected to enable around 541,000 students in the war-torn enclave to continue their education by making use of available resources and adapting to current conditions.

Source: WAFA