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In Pictures: When a school is illegal

A community lives with the constant threat of displacement and the demolition of its only school.

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Every year the school administration goes to court to postpone the demolition of the institution. So far, they have managed to avoid demolition, but the orders remain, and it is uncertain how much longer the school will remain.
By Vinciane Jacquet
Published On 28 Nov 2014

Khan al Ahmar, West Bank, Palestine – The Khan al-Ahmar School serves the children of the Jahalin Bedouin community in the West Bank and has been declared illegal by Israeli authorities. It is now facing possible demolition.

Built in 2009, the school was constructed with mud and tyres due to a lack of funds and an Israeli law that bans Palestinians in Area C of the West Bank from building structures made of cement.

The children now attend school in poorly equipped classrooms with no heating, leaking ceilings, and little electricity. However, it is possible that even this primitive learning environment could be snatched from them at a moment’s notice.

Over 140 students are currently enrolled in the school. The nearest alternative school is located about 45 minutes away by car. The school’s imminent demolition is part of a plan by Israeli authorities to displace the Jahalin Bedouin community living in Area C of the occupied West Bank.

The Khan al-Ahmar School and Bedouin community are located in Jerusalem’s periphery, between the Israeli settlements of Maale Adumim and Kfar Adumim. While the Jahalin Bedouin have a long-standing presence in this area (they settled in the area in 1948, after being evicted by Israel from their lands in the Negev desert), the community and school present an obstacle to Israel’s planned settlement expansion and construction of the separation barrier.

The community lives with the constant threat of displacement. Every year, the school administration goes to court in order to postpone the planned demolition of the school.

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This year they were lucky and the court sided with them. However, the order still stands and next year they may not be so lucky.

The straw and mud structure of the school is not solid. Inside the classrooms, the walls are falling apart. While lack of funds is one reason for the poor structure of the school, the other major factor is an Israeli law banning the use of cement for construction by Palestinians in Area C of the West Bank where the school is located. Area C is the part of the West Bank under total Israeli military control.
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Every time it rains, the classrooms get wet and humid, and the water leaks inside. The school has no heating during the cold winter of the desert.
The children study with bowls on the tables to capture the rain leaking through the ceiling.
Among the classrooms built of soil and rubber tyres, two are built of sheet metal. These more sturdy structures are sponsored by the European Union. The State of Israel did not authorise their construction and, as a consequence, they are hidden under tents and tarps. Donated materials by foreign donors, like the EU, are still at risk of confiscation by Israeli authorities when they are shipped into the area.
Harema Zhaeqq is the headmaster of the school. She is highly respected by the teachers, as they say that she is always able to find the necessary furniture for the classes by canvassing companies in Palestine and abroad. Some companies in Palestine are hesitant to donate fearing sanctions from Israel. However, Zhaeqq is usually able to convince them anyway.
Visible signs outside of the classrooms thank the public sponsors of the school. While thankful for the funds, the headmaster pointed out that funds are limited and they have only received help from the EU and Italy.
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Children have to pay for their notebooks and school supplies themselves.
However, when a family is too poor to pay for school supplies, the teachers pool money to cover the child(***)s expenses.
Teachers run in the rain between their classrooms and the(***)teachers(***) room to bring handouts for their students.
The school playground is built of tyres, mud, and other scrap materials. In February, Italy donated playground equipment. However, the entire shipment was confiscated by the Israeli army and materials never made it to the school.
A young student runs back to class after playtime. The recreation area is muddy and wet due to heavy rain. The teachers wish the children could have a more suitable playground.

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