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Delivering education on the front line: A timeline of UNRWA and education

12 May 2016

For nearly seven decades, UNRWA has been delivering education services to Palestine refugee children in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Gaza and the West Bank, in order to ensure that they are able to access a quality education and gain the skills and knowledge they need for the future. The following timeline, comprised of select images from the UNRWA photo and film archive, shows the key role that UNRWA has played in educating generations of Palestine refugees, even in times of emergency, protracted conflict and repeated displacement.

Girls push their belongings in prams and carts as they leave Jaffa. © 1948 UN Archives, Photographer UnknownAfter the exodus, the first school classes were held in the open air in Jericho. © 1948 UNRWA Archive, Photographer UnknownThe first UNRWA schools were set up in tents. © 1950 UNRWA Archive, Photographer UnknownAfter the exodus, the first school classes were held in the open air in Jalazone. © 1950s UNRWA Archive, Photographer UnknownUNRWA started out with 93 schools and more than 35,000 pupils in 1950. © 1954 UNRWA Archive, Photographer UnknownEducation in emergencies in tents, Jordan. Undated. © UNRWA Archive, Photographer UnknownOne of the first kindergarten classes in Dikwaneh camp, Lebanon. Undated. © UNRWA Archive, Photographer UnknownA science lesson at the Women’s Training Centre in Ramallah, West Bank, where thousands of girls have been trained in teaching and other professions. Undated. © UNRWA Archive, Photographer UnknownPalestine refugees flee across the Allenby Bridge during the 1967 hostilities. About 400,000 Palestinians fled across the Jordan River to escape the second Arab-Israeli conflict. © 1967 UNRWA Archive, Photographer UnknownChildren play outside their tent schools at Ghor Nimreen camp, Jordan. © 1967 UNRWA Archive, Photographer UnknownVocational Training Centre in Gaza. Undated. © UNRWA Archive, Photographer UnknownChildren walk to school amid the rubble in Shatila camp, Lebanon. © 1982 UNRWA Archive Photo by George NehmehChildren in a temporary tent school after the Israeli invasion of Lebanon, Ein El-Hilweh camp. © 1982 UNRWA Archive Photo by George NehmehVocational Training Centre in Wadi Seer, Amman, Jordan. © 1985 UNRWA Archive Photo by Munir NasrRuins of the Galilee Preparatory Boys School in Shatila camp, Beirut, Lebanon. © 1985 UNRWA Archive Photo by H. Haider Girl at school in Rafah camp, Gaza. © 1985 UNRWA Archive Photo by Munir NasrAn UNRWA classroom in Beach camp, Gaza. © 1986 UNRWA Archive Photo by Munir NasrStreet scene in the Gaza Strip during the first intifada. © 1988 UNRWA Archive Photo by George NehmehEducational programming for children with disabilities in Souf camp, Jordan. © 1988 UNRWA Archive Photo by Munir NasrStudents attend classes held in a mosque in Nuseirat camp, Gaza. © 1992 UNRWA Archive Photo by George NehmehChildren on their way to school along the West Bank Barrier. © 2007 UNRWA Photo by J.C. TordaiSummer camps in the West Bank. © 2007 UNRWA Photo by Steve SabellaPhosphorous bombs hit UNRWA premises in Beit Lahiya, Gaza. 2009. Courtesy of AFPMembers of the school parliament at the Girls’ School in Sbeineh refugee camp, Syria. © 2010 UNRWA Photo by Isabel de la CruzSchool in Gaza. © 2012 UNRWA Photo by Shareef SarhanChildren on their way to school in Gaza. © 2012 UNRWA Photo by Shareef SarhanChildren doing homework by candlelight as a result of electricity cuts in Gaza. © 2012 UNRWA Photo by Shareef SarhanEducation in emergencies in Jaramana camp, Syria. © 2013 UNRWA Photo by Carole AlfarahGovernment schools used by UNRWA students, Jaramana camp, Syria. © 2013 UNRWA Photo by Carole AlfarahPsychosocial support, including psychosocial counselling and recreational activities, is a critical part of the UNRWA Education in Emergencies response. © 2014 UNRWA Photo by Shareef Sarhan

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