Gaza City, July 27 (V7N) – Amid war, repeated displacement and the loss of her father, 18-year-old Saba Rabah has emerged as the top student in Palestine's national secondary school examination, achieving the highest score in the science stream despite studying under some of the most difficult conditions imaginable.

Saba scored 99.9 percent in this year's Tawjihi examination, securing first place nationwide in the science section.

"I scored 99.9 percent and came first in the science section in the entire country," Saba told AFP.

Her achievement came despite months of hardship caused by the war in Gaza. Just days before her final examinations, an airstrike hit a house opposite the tent where her family had taken shelter in the Al-Maghazi refugee camp, forcing them to flee once again and abandon their remaining belongings.

Despite the repeated displacement, Saba remained determined to continue her education.

After the examination results were announced, relatives and neighbors gathered around her in the refugee camp to celebrate. Wearing her graduation gown and standing beside a photograph of her late father, she accepted flowers while reflecting on the sacrifices behind her success.

Studying Through War

Since the war began in Gaza in October 2023, much of the territory's education system has been devastated. Schools and educational institutions have been damaged or destroyed, while many surviving buildings have been converted into shelters for displaced families.

This year's Tawjihi examinations were held for Palestinian students in Gaza, the occupied West Bank and several neighboring countries, marking one of the most challenging examination sessions in recent years.

Around 89,000 students sat for the national secondary examinations, including more than 25,000 science students, with Saba achieving the highest overall score in her stream.

Fulfilling Her Father's Dream

Saba's father, Fayed Rabah, was a teacher with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA). According to Saba, he was killed in an Israeli airstrike in June 2024.

Before his death, the family had already been displaced multiple times after Israeli military operations reached Al-Maghazi refugee camp. Their home was eventually destroyed, leaving Saba without many of her schoolbooks and study materials.

"So much displacement, so much fear... Our house was destroyed. I lost half of my books, but I never gave up on my goal," she said.

Studying by Phone Light

Frequent electricity outages, internet disruptions and continuing security threats made studying especially difficult. Saba often relied on the light from her mobile phone to prepare for exams and sometimes travelled to other areas to attend private lessons and sit examinations despite safety concerns.

Her mother, Ferial Ahmed Rabah, said her daughter's achievement has brought hope back to a family devastated by war and personal loss.

"This joy is beyond words. I expected her to be one of the best students, but she has become the best student in all of Palestine," she told AFP.

Saba now hopes to fulfil her late father's dream by studying medicine.

"My goal is to get into medical school. That's what my father dreamed of for me," she said, expressing hope of receiving a full scholarship to pursue her medical education.

Source: AFP

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