JERUSALEM: Dozens of private schools in occupied Jerusalem have suspended educational activities, affecting thousands of students, following an Israeli crackdown that restricted work permits for teachers coming from the West Bank.
According to Palestinian authorities, the suspension came after Israel imposed limits on work permits for West Bank-based teachers. In response, the General Secretariat of Christian Educational Institutions in Jerusalem called for a strike, which was joined by all private schools in the city.
The strike has disrupted the education of approximately 20,000 students, including 8,500 students from 15 Christian schools.
Richard Zanani, director of St. George School, stated that the Israeli decision has impacted 171 teachers and staff members. He emphasized that the restrictions are affecting both staff livelihoods and students’ access to quality education.
Additionally, Israel has imposed a ban on the recruitment of locally trained Palestinian teachers holding Palestinian degrees, further exacerbating the shortage of qualified educational staff in the city.
The ongoing restrictions have drawn criticism from Palestinian officials, who argue that such measures undermine the education system in occupied Jerusalem and hinder students’ academic progress.