The education system in the Gaza border area continues to grow: the number of students in Sderot has increased by approximately 16 percent compared to the period before October 7, 2023. Student numbers in Sdot Negev and Hof Ashkelon are also higher than before the war. The head of the Tekuma Directorate, Aviad Friedman, stated: “The increase goes far beyond the mere number and reflects the transition from reconstruction to growth.”
The 2026/27 school year begins in the Tekuma region with 22,233 students across the five communities of the region – the city of Sderot and the regional councils of Eshkol, Hof Ashkelon, Sdot Negev, and Sha’ar HaNegev. This represents an increase of approximately nine percent compared to the period before October 7, 2023 and a gain of 1,802 students. Of these, 4,553 are children up to three years old, 3,965 attend kindergartens, and 13,715 are enrolled in grades 1 through 12.
The growth of the education system coincides with the continued return of residents to their home communities. During the summer months, the return to Kibbutz Kissufim began, with more than 95 percent of residents now back home. Residents of Holit and Kfar Aza are also returning. The youth of Kibbutz Be’eri have likewise returned to Eshkol and are attending school there.
The continued return to communities and rising student numbers are seen as a further sign of the transformation the Tekuma region is undergoing – from reconstruction and returning home to a renewed consolidation of communities and further growth.
364 million shekels for the education system
In parallel, the Tekuma Directorate is making substantial investments in the education system in 2026, which is regarded as an important pillar for community resilience and the further development of the region. In total, the directorate is funding eight central education projects with a combined volume of 364 million shekels.
The investments focus on improving educational quality, expanding holistic offerings, and providing additional support for students and schools. A particular emphasis is placed on English and technology, as well as on recruiting and retaining qualified professionals over the long term and training future leaders within the education system.
Among the largest investments in 2026 are 184 million shekels for the “Tekuma Education Package,” which enables communities to develop educational offerings tailored to their respective local needs. A further 103 million shekels are being directed toward additional educational buildings, and 54 million shekels toward extracurricular education programs.
The investments are intended not only to strengthen the existing education system. They are part of a long-term strategy to retain the population in the region, attract new families, and create the conditions for further growth.
The head of the Tekuma Directorate, Aviad Friedman, said: “The increase in student numbers across all communities in the region compared to last year is far more than just a number – it reflects the return home, the strengthening of communities, and the transition of the Tekuma region from reconstruction to growth. The education system is one of the most important anchors in building the region’s future. That is why we are investing in it not only to meet today’s needs, but with an eye toward the years ahead. Our goal is for the children of the region to receive an excellent education here, for families to choose to continue building their lives here, and for the region’s communities to continue to grow and become stronger. That is our mission, and that is the rebirth we are working toward.”
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