Under the Slogan “A New Year, A New Hope”
Bank of Palestine Launches Back-to-School Initiative to Support Early-Grade Students in Gaza
As part of its ongoing humanitarian and community efforts to support the people of Gaza, and in recognition of the vital role education plays in fostering hope for a better future, Bank of Palestine has launched its Back-to-School Initiative under the slogan “A New Year, A New Hope.” The initiative aims to support early-grade students at several schools across the Gaza Strip through the distribution of approximately 7,000 school bags, alongside recreational and interactive activities for children, in coordination with the Ministry of Education and Higher Education.
Coinciding with the start of the new academic year, the initiative reflects Bank of Palestine’s continued commitment to supporting education and helping children meet some of their essential school needs. It also seeks to encourage students to continue their education and return to the classroom with a renewed sense of hope and optimism, despite the difficult circumstances and challenges they have experienced.
The initiative targets students in grades one, two, and three at selected schools across the Gaza Strip, prioritizing schools and communities with the greatest needs. It also includes recreational and interactive activities at participating schools, such as group activities, drawing, coloring, and physical games, with the participation of Bank of Palestine employees. These activities aim to create a positive atmosphere for children and bring moments of joy and engagement to their return-to-school experience.
The initiative covers schools in several areas of the Gaza Strip, including Gaza City, North Gaza, Khan Younis, the Central Gaza Strip, and Rafah. The distribution will be based on each school’s actual needs, student enrollment, accessibility, and humanitarian priorities, ensuring assistance reaches the children and communities most in need.
Commenting on the initiative, Mahmoud Shawa, CEO of Bank of Palestine, said the Bank believes supporting education is a priority at this stage. He noted that helping children return to school goes beyond providing essential school supplies; it also involves strengthening their sense of hope, stability, and continuity.
Shawa added: “We want this initiative to convey a message to our children in Gaza that goes beyond school bags and stationery: a message that education will always remain a gateway to hope and a better future. Through this initiative, we seek to stand alongside our children as they exercise their right to education and return to their schools, while helping make the beginning of their academic year a more positive and joyful experience.”
The initiative forms part of Bank of Palestine’s broader community engagement efforts to support education, invest in children, and empower them to continue their educational journey, contributing to a more positive learning environment across the Gaza Strip.