# East Jerusalem educational policy and school disruptions > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/east-jerusalem-educational-policy-and-school-disruptions > Updated: 2026-09-03T04:37:34.000Z. Sources: 26. Developments: 3. Educational stability in East Jerusalem is facing significant disruption due to policy shifts and administrative restrictions. Approximately 45,000 Palestinian students, representing about 38% of the region’s 120,000 students, are expected to transition to the Israeli curriculum for the 2026/2027 academic year. This marks a substantial increase from the 10,347 students using the curriculum in the 2020/2021 academic year. Ma'rouf al-Rifai, spokesperson for the Jerusalem Governorate, noted that the transition involves 39,363 students in 105 municipal schools and 5,085 students in recognized or unofficial institutions. Officials have characterized this expansion as a systematic attempt to undermine Palestinian national identity and culture, citing educational pressure and the seizure of UNRWA educational complexes. Compounding these curricular changes, private and Christian schools in Jerusalem have suspended all classes effective September 1, 2026. The Christian Schools Custodian of the Holy Land and the Christian Schools General Secretariat (CSCS) announced an indefinite strike following the sudden non-renewal of entry permits for more than 70 teachers, administrators, and support staff from the West Bank. This shortage impacts approximately 8,500 students and affects instruction, administration, and security. The crisis follows a January policy from the Israeli Ministry of Education that limits the employment of teachers holding diplomas from the Palestinian Authority. While some permits were reportedly renewed shortly after the strike announcement, many staff members have only received temporary authorizations, leaving the resumption of school activities fragile. ## Claims - The suspension is due to the sudden non-renewal of entry permits for many teachers and support staff by Israeli authorities. (corroborated by 10 sources) - Israeli authorities are expanding the application of the Israeli curriculum to new classes in municipal schools in East Jerusalem. (corroborated by 6 sources) - More than 45,000 Palestinian students in Jerusalem are expected to study under the Israeli curriculum this academic year. (corroborated by 6 sources) - The new curriculum application targets first and seventh-grade students in municipal schools. (corroborated by 6 sources) - Private schools in Jerusalem will suspend classes starting Tuesday, September 1, 2026, until further notice. (corroborated by 4 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-03: Jerusalem Christian schools strike over teacher permit denials Christian schools in Jerusalem have launched an indefinite strike after Israeli authorities denied entry permits to over 70 teachers and staff members from the West Bank, affecting 8,500 students. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/christian-schools-in-jerusalem-suspend-teaching-due-to-permit-issues ### 2026-08-31: Jerusalem schools suspend classes over staff permit denials Jerusalem's private and Christian schools are suspending classes indefinitely due to the non-renewal of Israeli entry permits for over 70 staff members. Meanwhile, officials warn of a curriculum shift affecting 19 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/jerusalem-private-schools-suspend-classes-over-teacher-permit-issues ### 2026-08-31: East Jerusalem students face shift to Israeli curriculum Over 45,000 Palestinian students in East Jerusalem will follow the Israeli curriculum for the 2026/2027 school year, a significant increase aimed at impacting national identity. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/east-jerusalem-students-face-shift-to-israeli-curriculum --- Cite as: East Jerusalem educational policy and school disruptions. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/east-jerusalem-educational-policy-and-school-disruptions