Determined to Dream

ECW-funded innovative learning solutions delivered by the State of Palestine Ministry of Education provide new opportunities for vulnerable children.

By Education Cannot Wait

April 7^th, 2022

Like many 11 year olds her age, young Shahd* has big dreams. Dreams that may include being president, becoming a doctor or even launching into space to become the first female astronaut from the State of Palestine.

Yet Shahd’s chronic kidney illness looms over her like a dark rain cloud. She spends most of her days receiving treatment at the Augusta Victoria Hospital. While her classmates enjoy the freedom of playing and learning together, Shahd sits alone in her hospital room yearning to be among her peers.

“I would rather go to regular school with other children, but the teachers and nurses at the hospital are very kind, and they make it okay.” ~ Shahd (11)

With support from Education Cannot Wait (ECW), the Palestinian Ministry of Education and strategic partners including Save the Children, UNDP, UNICEF and UNRWA are helping girls like Shahd to continue their education and come closer to making their dreams a reality at the Determination School, a programme that provides flexible education to children unable to participate in regular classes at their local schools due to chronic illnesses and long-term treatment.

Shahd, 11, with her Determination School teachers in Augusta Victoria hospital. Photo credit: Jonathan Condo / State of Palestine

The Determination for Education

ECW funding has enabled the Palestinian Ministry of Education to establish four Determination Schools – supporting 150 children by providing individualised plans, psychosocial support and inclusive education to ensure their students are not left behind in their studies. The programme is implemented in the West Bank and administered by the Ministry of Education as part of ECW’s Multi-Year Resilience Programme.

Not only does this programme give children like Shahd the opportunity to learn with flexible education, but it also provides support to teachers through specialised training to support affected students.

Many students in Determination Schools will face chronic illnesses for the rest of their lives; others may recover. In the meantime, with ECW support, this flexible provision of education is making a difference in the lives of children and their families.

Hospitals in the State of Palestine were once a constant reminder of a child’s limitation, however they have now become a place of hope and opportunity.

Student at Determination School in Augusta Victoria Hospital. Photo Credit: Jonathan Condo / State of Palestine

Rising to the Challenge of COVID-19

Although Determination Schools provide a solution to education for children with chronic illnesses, the COVID-19 pandemic introduced a new challenge to children in local schools and their teachers. In March 2020, the government lockdown mandates resulted in the closure of all schools and universities, leaving hundreds of thousands of students without access to education.

As a result, teachers and students found themselves adjusting to distance learning. Unfortunately, this left 360,000 students from impoverished communities especially vulnerable.

Where there's a will there’s a way, and behind every student that is willing to learn there is a dedicated teacher prepared to lead the way.

Young girls in school amid COVID-19. Photo credit: UNICEF / State of Palestine

Reham Abu Arqoub, a teacher working in Al-Awda elementary school, discovered new and creative ways to engage with her students through distance learning.

“A special educational Facebook page was created to publish curriculum lessons and some worksheets, to post students’ work and to provide them with feedback on their work.” ~ Reham Abu Arqoub, Teacher

Reham focused on reaching students and creating an appropriate methodology to strengthen the e-learning that appealed to all students studying at home. Additionally, she made home videos with her son to encourage participation from all students.

Young girl in Palestine. Photo credit: UNICEF / State of Palestine

ECW Results in the State of Palestine

With ECW funding, the UNESCO Ramallah Office prepared a training manual to ensure that other teachers in the State of Palestine implemented innovative and inclusive education practices during and after the pandemic.

Moreover, within a few months of the Palestinian government issuing a lockdown, ECW provided funding to the Ministry of Education and UNESCO to deliver the first training on setting up online classes from home for about 125 public and private school teachers in State of Palestine.

Whether it is in a hospital setting or in a classroom amidst a global pandemic, committed teachers will always find a way to reach their students. ECW is committed to supporting students and teachers in the State of Palestine, and supporting girls like Shahd in realising their full potential.

Teacher helps student with writing. Photo credit: UNICEF / State of Palestine

ECW funded programs are currently delivering education to over 105,000 children in the State of Palestine.

As of January 2022, a total of 419,170 vulnerable and marginalized children (206,662 girls; 212,508 boys) have been reached by the MYRP, achieving 75.8% of the programme target of 552,680 children.

Of these reached children 343,876 are in Gaza and 75,294 in the West Bank; there are 401,003 and 18,167 in formal and nonformal education respectively, and 304,886 are refugees and 12,251 are children with disabilities (CWD). The MoE together with the 5 partners provided critical education services in 899 schools (602 government, 297 UNRWA schools).

Footnotes

*Name changed to protect identity

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*Name changed to protect identity