# Gaza Teen Saba Rabah Tops Palestine’s Tawjihi Science Exams Amid War, Loss and Displacement

*Saba Rabah secures 99.9% in Palestine's national Tawjihi science stream, first such exams held in Gaza since October 2023 war.*

**Society · 27 Jul 2026 · GS: GS1, GS2, Essay · Exam yield: Medium**

## Why this matters

This story humanises the Gaza war's educational impact, relevant for GS1 (society) and GS2 (human rights). It illustrates resilience amid conflict, a recurring UPSC theme.

## In plain words

The Tawjihi is Palestine's high-school leaving exam, the single gateway to university admission across the region. Since October 2023, war in Gaza has shut schools, displaced families and killed teachers, making it impossible to hold these exams safely. This year, for the first time in three years, the tests were conducted simultaneously in Gaza, the West Bank, Egypt and other Palestinian communities, allowing 89,000 students to participate.

Saba Rabah, an 18-year-old from the Al-Maghazi refugee camp, scored 99.9% in the science stream, ranking first among over 25,000 science students nationwide. Her achievement is extraordinary because she studied while displaced, after her home was demolished and her father—a teacher—was killed in an airstrike. The exam itself required her to travel through active conflict zones to reach a test centre.

Think of the Tawjihi as a massive, high-stakes national entrance test like India's Class 12 board exams, but held while schools are bombed and families are fleeing. Saba's success shows that even when infrastructure collapses, individual determination can prevail, though it also highlights the severe disruption to an entire generation's education.

## Key facts

- Scored 99.9% in science stream, ranked first nationally among 25,000+ science stream students
- First Tawjihi exams held in Gaza since October 2023 war, with 89,000 total students participating across regions
- Father (UNRWA teacher) killed in Israeli airstrike June 2024; family displaced multiple times, home demolished January 2024
- Aims to study medicine, seeks full scholarship to fulfill late father’s dream

## How we got here

The Tawjihi (meaning 'orientation' in Arabic) has been the terminal secondary examination in Palestine since the mid-20th century, determining university placement and career paths. Historically, it was administered separately in Gaza and the West Bank. The current war began in October 2023, leading to widespread destruction of educational infrastructure in Gaza; reports indicate the vast majority of school buildings have been damaged or destroyed. Saba Rabah's family was displaced in January 2024 when their home was demolished, and her father, an UNRWA teacher, was killed in June 2024. The 2026 exams mark the first unified administration since the conflict escalated, conducted across multiple countries to accommodate displaced students.

## The bigger picture

**Social — Education in Conflict Zones**

The story underscores the collapse of educational infrastructure in war. With most schools in Gaza damaged, students like Saba rely on private lessons and makeshift centres. This disrupts the 'Right to Education' under Article 26 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, risking a 'lost generation' of youth without formal qualifications.

→ War destroys physical and psychological infrastructure necessary for education.

**International — Role of UNRWA and Cross-border Administration**

Saba's father was a teacher at UNRWA schools, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees established in 1949. The exams were held in Egypt and other countries, showing how international actors facilitate education for displaced populations. This highlights the reliance of Palestinian education on international humanitarian support.

→ International agencies are critical for sustaining basic services in protracted conflicts.

**Ethical — Resilience vs. Structural Disadvantage**

Saba's 99.9% score is a testament to individual resilience, yet it also raises ethical questions about expecting students to perform under extreme trauma. While her success is celebrated, it masks the systemic disadvantage faced by peers who cannot overcome the barriers of displacement and grief.

→ Individual excellence should not obscure the need for systemic protection of student welfare.

## The big debate

**Should high-stakes exams like Tawjihi proceed during active conflicts, or be postponed to ensure equity?**

**For**
- Conducting exams maintains academic continuity and rewards resilient students like Saba who persevered.
- A unified exam across regions upholds educational standards and prevents 'lost years' for students.

**Against**
- War-induced trauma and displacement create an uneven playing field, disadvantaging the most vulnerable.
- Resources spent on exams could be redirected to psychosocial support and rebuilding schools.

**The balanced take:** While maintaining academic cycles is important for long-term stability, equity demands that special provisions—such as grace marks or alternative assessment—be made for conflict-affected students to prevent systemic bias in results.

## Answer it in Mains

**How does the story of Saba Rabah illustrate the impact of conflict on the Right to Education in fragile states?** *(GS2)*

How to attack it: Introduce Saba's achievement as a case study. Discuss the destruction of infrastructure in Gaza, the role of UNRWA, and the legal framework of the Right to Education. Conclude with the need for global 'Education in Emergencies' protocols.

Quote this: UDHR Article 26 and UNRWA data on school damage in Gaza.

**Resilience in adversity is the cornerstone of human development. Discuss with reference to educational achievements in conflict zones.** *(Essay)*

How to attack it: Use Saba's 99.9% as a hook. Explore the tension between individual grit and systemic failure. Link to broader themes of war, displacement, and the role of international community in safeguarding human capital.

Quote this: Tawjihi 2026 exam data and SDG 4 targets.

## Prelims quick-fire

- **[Term]** Tawjihi is the national secondary school exam of Palestine, first held across Gaza, West Bank, and Egypt in 2026 since 2023 [gulfnews.com](https://gulfnews.com/world/mena/999-gaza-teen-triumphs-despite-war-loss-and-displacement-1.500621892). — *Often in news; do not confuse with 'Tawjih' (guidance).*
- **[Body/Institution]** UNRWA (UN Relief and Works Agency) was established in 1949 to support Palestinian refugees; Saba's father was its teacher [gulfnews.com](https://gulfnews.com/world/mena/999-gaza-teen-triumphs-despite-war-loss-and-displacement-1.500621892). — *Distinct from UNHCR; specific to Palestine.*
- **[Data]** 89,000 students sat for Tawjihi in 2026, including 25,000 in the science stream [gulfnews.com](https://gulfnews.com/world/mena/999-gaza-teen-triumphs-despite-war-loss-and-displacement-1.500621892). — *High-yield number for Prelims.*
- **[Geography]** Al-Maghazi is a refugee camp in central Gaza, the residence of topper Saba Rabah [gulfnews.com](https://gulfnews.com/world/mena/999-gaza-teen-triumphs-despite-war-loss-and-displacement-1.500621892). — *Located in Gaza Strip, not West Bank.*
- **[Data]** Saba Rabah scored 99.9% in science stream, ranking first nationally in Palestine's 2026 exams [gulfnews.com](https://gulfnews.com/world/mena/999-gaza-teen-triumphs-despite-war-loss-and-displacement-1.500621892). — *Topper story; often asked as 'who' or 'what score'.*
- **[Report/Index]** Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) 1948, Article 26, guarantees the Right to Education [un.org](https://www.un.org/en/about-us/universal-declaration-of-human-rights). — *Parent instrument for education rights.*

## What should happen

1. **Establish 'Education in Emergencies' protocols within the UN framework.** Systematic guidelines can ensure learning continuity during conflicts. *(SDG 4 (Quality Education))*
2. **Expand scholarship programs for conflict-zone toppers like Saba Rabah.** Financial aid enables talented students to pursue higher education despite economic loss. *(UNRWA scholarship programs)*
3. **Invest in psychosocial support for students in war zones.** Mental health services are essential to help students cope with trauma and grief.

## Jargon, demystified

- **Tawjihi** — The national secondary school leaving examination in Palestine, determining university admission and equivalent to Class 12 boards in India. *(Key term for Middle East current affairs.)*
- **UNRWA** — United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees, established in 1949 to provide education, health, and relief services to Palestinian refugees. *(Distinct from UNHCR; often asked in Prelims.)*
- **Al-Maghazi** — A Palestinian refugee camp located in the central Gaza Strip, established after the 1948 war and home to Saba Rabah. *(Important Gaza geography.)*
- **Right to Education** — The fundamental human right to access free, compulsory primary and secondary education, enshrined in Article 26 of the UDHR. *(Links to GS2 and Essay.)*
- **Science Stream** — The academic track focusing on physics, chemistry, and biology, typically required for entry into medical and engineering courses. *(Common term in education systems globally.)*

## Revise in 30 seconds

- Saba Rabah (Gaza) tops Palestine Tawjihi 2026 with 99.9% in science.
- First Tawjihi exams in Gaza since Oct 2023 war; 89,000 students participated.
- Father (UNRWA teacher) killed in airstrike; home demolished in conflict.
- Exams held across Gaza, West Bank, Egypt for displaced students.
- Highlights 'Right to Education' challenges in conflict zones.

## Study next

**Static links:** Society in India and World, International Relations - Middle East, Human Rights

**Essay angle:** Resilience is not just about surviving; it is about daring to excel when the world expects you to fail.

**Interview probe:** What does Saba Rabah's journey teach us about the indomitable human spirit in the face of systemic collapse?

## Sources

- [Gaza Teen Saba Rabah Tops Palestine’s Tawjihi Science Exams Amid War, Loss and Displacement](https://gulfnews.com/world/mena/999-gaza-teen-triumphs-despite-war-loss-and-displacement-1.500621892)

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