After a period of profound uncertainty caused by war and school closures, the Terra Sancta School in Ramla has officially reopened its doors. For students and faculty, the return to the classroom represents much more than a simple resumption of lessons: it is a fundamental step toward reclaiming "normal life" and psychological stability.
Fr. Abdel Masih Fahim, director of the school, emphasizes how this interruption has highlighted a crucial message for young people: the importance of peace. Beyond the absence of fear, Fr. Fahim defines peace as the ability to live together with others, starting from an "inner peace" that the school is now committed to cultivating.
The return was supported by a dedicated network of social workers and school counselors. Their goal is to bridge the educational and emotional gaps left by the conflict, ensuring students a smooth transition from the pre-war period to current curricula.
To recover lost school time, the institute has adopted modern strategies approved by the Ministry of Education. Primarily, research enhanced by artificial intelligence: students use artificial intelligence to develop research skills, learning to select essential content and avoid marginal information.
Furthermore, significant attention was given to remote support: even during the height of the conflict, staff maintained daily contact through distance learning and psychological support. Finally, some social initiatives were organized, such as involving kindergarten children and their families in public parks, which helped ease the tension before the formal resumption of lessons.
For the students, the return was a milestone of great emotional impact. The principal, Nisreen Zaarour, observed visible enthusiasm among the pupils, whose joy in meeting again has begun to dissolve the lingering memories of sirens and fear.
"My emotion is indescribable", says Mariana Ghattas, a high school senior. "We wanted to come back because we missed the school, the environment, and the teachers. We missed normal life. We want to see each other face to face, no longer through a screen".
As the school year progresses, focus remains not only on grades, every lesson is today an opportunity to pray and practice that fraternity and lasting peace that they hope to see flourish throughout the country.
