‘Scholasticide’, the intentional destruction of educational systems in a targeted area, has left more than 90% of educational facilities in Gaza unsuitable for use and in need of reconstruction. Students are struggling to maintain their education while dealing with the instability of a war-riddled environment. This is a tactical attempt to suppress the area’s history, innovation, and youth. Gaza is at risk of erasure through its disrupted education system.
Gaza40+ is a campaign that calls for changes in university and government policies globally that will enable equal access to education for all Gazan students, regardless of their situation. They aim to dismantle the “bureaucratic and logistical barriers” that Gazan students often encounter when enrolling in external universities.
Manar al-Houbi, a Gazan student with a fully-funded scholarship, was evacuated in mid-December in order to pursue her PhD at the University of Glasgow. Her family were nearly denied entry with her to the UK, as a result of the government’s tightening immigration laws. Following Houbi, the UK government changed their policy, stating that bringing dependents would be case-specific. Many still remain doubtful and have expressed “pressure […] to travel without their children despite the recent policy change”, according to The Guardian.
In order to be eligible for evacuating Gaza to the UK as a student, a full scholarship from the university that covers both fees and living expenses is required. Additionally, only those with courses starting before 31 December 2025 will be accepted- those that start in 2026 will not yet be allowed to evacuate. Gaza40+ believes these policies disregard the severity of the circumstances that Gazan students are living under.
As a result, Gaza40+ has launched a petition, which can be found on the UK Government website. It calls for: an extension of the evacuation policy; amending the policy to match the Ukrainian, Syrian and Afghan Home Visa Scheme, and establishing a Permission Extension Scheme as is offered to Ukrainian nationals; granting additional funding towards Gazan academic scholarships; and facilitating twinning partnerships between UK and Gazan universities.
At 10,000 signatures, the petition will attain Government response, and at 100,000, it will be considered for Parliament debate. The campaign is encouraging signatures, but has yet to reach its goal, and is looking for further public support. The petition will continue to run until 3 August 2026.
As the UK’s evacuation scheme for Gazan students leaves many uncertain, living conditions in Gaza worsen: flooding erodes the streets, and food shortages cause increased susceptibility to malnutrition and disease. Gaza40+ has established a clear mission: to dismantle the barriers depriving Gazan students from fulfilling their potential.
Read more on The Glasgow Guardian
