The United Nations has ruled out any plan to transfer UNRWA’s education programme in Gaza to the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres directly rejected the suggestion when former UNRWA official Khalil al-Halabi asked him about reports of a possible transfer of the agency’s education activities in Gaza to UNESCO.Of course not, Guterres replied, according to Halabi.The 72-year-old Halabi previously held several senior positions at UNRWA, including deputy head of its education programme, director of the school education department and an official responsible for northern Gaza. He continues to work on Gaza’s education system after his retirement. Halabi said UNRWA has extensive experience in managing education for Palestinian refugees in Gaza. According to him, the agency has been running education programmes for Palestinian refugees for more than seven decades.He argued that, given UNRWA’s long-standing experience, replacing the agency with another institution to manage Gaza’s education system would not be an easy task. Guterres’ remarks come amid reports and speculation over a possible transfer of responsibility for Gaza’s education system to UNESCO. His response indicates that there is currently no decision or plan within the United Nations to move UNRWA’s education programme in Gaza to UNESCO.