The Department for International Development (DFID) supports both the Palestinian Authority (PA) and the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) to provide education in Gaza.
Our budget support to the PA was £50 million in 2008 and £18.5 million so far in 2009. This funding contributes to the salaries of public sector workers, including teachers and the provision of basic services such as education. Approximately 50 per cent. of PA spending goes to Gaza.
UNRWA schools in Gaza are attended by over 200,000 children. Through our core funding to UNRWA, DFID has contributed £100 million over five years (2007 to 2012) towards teacher salaries.
DFID continues to press Israel to allow reconstruction materials into Gaza so that schools destroyed and damaged in Operation Cast Lead can be repaired, and to lift all restrictions on the imports of stationery, textbooks and school furniture.