The occupation obstructs the educational process at Al-Aqsa Girls School
The occupation authorities continued on Sunday their restrictions imposed on the students of Al-Aqsa Girls School in an attempt to harass them and obstruct the education process. Wadi Hilweh Information Center was informed by the school’s administration that since the first day of the new school-year (Monday 24/8/2015), the girls were surprised of the new restrictions and procedures imposed on them by the Israeli police that include preventing them from entering freely through Al-Aqsa gates and only allowing them to enter through Al-Silsileh Gate. Upon arrival at Al-Silsileh Gate, they are detained and delayed at the iron barriers established by the police (depending on the mood of the stationed forces); they are allowed-in afterwards. The administration added that the students get delayed and detained for no reason and are often asked for their IDs despite being minors. During last week, the force arrested and detained two students for several hours at the interrogation center. The administration also pointed out that their students are not allowed inside Al-Aqsa after 7:30 a.m. and get detained at Al-Silsileh Gate until a teacher comes and accompanies them to the school. The school officials also explained that several students take bypass and far roads from their houses to get to Al-Silsileh Gate which could lead to arriving late to school. Also, the administration explained that the number of students continues to drop due to the procedures. The procedures are not only imposed on students, but many teachers are not to freely enter Al-Aqsa and are also required to go through Al-Silsileh Gate after detaining them and checking their IDs. The school’s administration confirmed that what is happening is a serious violation of the freedom of education and a disruption to the educational process. It is noteworthy that Al-Aqsa Girls School is a school inside Al-Aqsa that currently has 95 students from 7th until 12th grade.
