Gaza: The Swedish Akelius Foundation has announced its ambitious plan to build 400 schools in Gaza, addressing the urgent educational needs of over 650,000 children who have been deprived of formal education for two years. The devastating destruction of 97% of educational facilities in the region has left a significant gap, which the foundation aims to fill with this initiative.
According to Anadolu Agency, Swedish philanthropist Roger Akelius has played a pivotal role in this development by donating funds on March 20, in collaboration with the Swedish government and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). This contribution is part of a larger effort by the Akelius Foundation, which since its inception in 2007, has allocated 60 million dollars to Palestinian aid, with this latest donation for Gaza amounting to 75 million dollars.
Specializing in modern education techniques, the Akelius Foundation offers free online courses in languages and mathematics and employs a team of around 150 staff members. With an annual budget of approximately 300 million dollars, the foundation focuses on educational projects and has supported initiatives in 40 countries. Its partnerships include prominent humanitarian organizations such as UNICEF, the UNHCR, SOS Children's Villages, and Doctors Without Borders.
In an interview with Anadolu, Roger Akelius outlined the foundation's plans to not only build schools but also create play areas and provide daily meals for children in Gaza. The project aims to construct both tent schools and permanent buildings, each accommodating 250 children. However, Akelius acknowledged the potential challenges posed by Israeli restrictions, which may hinder access and pose risks to the safety of school staff and students.
The Swedish government has communicated with Israeli authorities regarding this aid initiative, contributing approximately 35 million dollars through UNICEF, bringing the total aid package to over 100 million dollars. The Akelius Foundation has maintained a partnership with UNICEF for a decade, striving to restore educational opportunities in Gaza, where its previous school was rendered unusable after widespread destruction.
According to UNICEF data, the scale of the educational crisis in Gaza is stark, with more than 97% of schools damaged and approximately 658,000 children out of school for two years. Akelius emphasized the importance of not only academic learning but also providing a sense of normalcy for these children, who have been deprived of a stable educational environment for far too long.