Improving the Quality of Education in Primary and Secondary Schools in Palestine
La Facultad de Educación da la bienvenida a Su Excelencia el Ministro de Asuntos Exteriores y Cooperación
Sr. José Manuel Garcia-Margallo 22 April 2013
Fundación Promoción Social de la Cultura
Improving the Quality of Education
in Primary and Secondary Schools in Palestine
Improving the Quality of Education in Primary and Secondary Schools in Palestine
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The Faculty of Education, Bethlehem University and Fundacion Promocion Social De La Cultura (FPSC) are responsible for the implementation of the current project “Improving the Quality of Education in Primary and Secondary Schools in Palestine” (20102014), funded by the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID) which complements the previous project “Improving the Quality of Education For All Through Partnership”, also funded by (AECID) that was implemented in the years (2007-2010) in cooperation with the Ministry of Education through public, UNRWA and private schools.
BACKGROUND Outcomes from the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg in 2002 and the UN Decade 2005-2014 “Education for Sustainable Development” recognized that lifelong learning and education is a driving force towards sustainable development. In line with this world vision and the Palestinian Ministry of Education’s Strategic and National Developmental Plans, and the Faculty of Education need assessment research results this project seeks to upgrade teachers in pedagogy, special education, and utilizing technology in education to improve the quality of education in the primary and secondary schools in Palestine.
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Improving the Quality of Education
PROJECT GOALS Based on the educational need assessment study, the project was designed upon the results of the study, and the overall objective of the project is: 1. Providing space, equipment, and other educational resources for the Improving Education Project by outfitting the physical infrastructure of the Bethlehem University Zuroub Teacher’s Resource Center and the new Education Building as well as the participating primary and secondary schools, teachers, and students. 2. Strengthening the collaborative network among educational stakeholders in the southern and middle West Bank, including Jerusalem, so that local and international exchanges between teachers and students as well as parents and local community leaders can take place. 4
in Primary and Secondary Schools in Palestine
3. Improving the teaching and learning skills and qualities of Palestinian educators from schools in the directorates of Jerusalem, Bethlehem and North Hebron by providing practical educational skills and best practices in the areas of: a. Special Education that provides knowledge, skills, tools and access for school teachers and parents to assist school children with learning difficulties and to promote the right for all children to learn. b. Technology and Media in Education that focuses on a wide range of modern and traditional tools, equipment, and media presently available to teachers, encouraging teachers to learn about applying media and technologies in their teaching and learning methodologies and styles. c. Pedagogy with a theme-oriented focus that will provide teachers with quality tools and resources to both stimulate and challenge the students’ different abilities and capacities rather than focusing exclusively on content alone – with special attention given to encouraging school students to be pro-active in learning. The project goals are in progress to be achieved through the full cooperation between Bethlehem University and the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, UNRWA, Private schools and Local NGO’s and Parents. TARGET GROUPS The project beneficiaries are: • Primary and Secondary school students • School Teachers • School Principals • Educational Supervisors • School Counselors • Parents and Local Community
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Improving the Quality of Education
in Primary and Secondary Schools in Palestine
- Establishing an academic program for Special Education majoring in Learning Difficulties. - Providing permanent sources and experts to serve teachers and students. - Providing opportunities for local and international exchange between teachers and students. - Providing enrollment for 150 in-service teachers for the requirements teaching qualification (Higher Diploma) as it required by the Ministry of Education and Higher Education. - Supporting education for equity, equality, human rights, democracy, cultural identity, pluralism and protection of environment. - Opening and equipping Remedial Education Resource Rooms for low-achieving school students in the four districts. - Improving the capacity of Bethlehem University to provide the best training for teachers. - In Palestine, there are three sectors of schools: public, private and UNRWA. The project serves the schools from the three sectors to improve the quality of education within the Palestinian system. PROJECT SIGNIFICANCE 6
The significance of this project stems from these intended outcomes: - Development of physical infrastructure of the Zuroub Teacher’s Resource Center of the Bethlehem University’s Faculty of Education. - Development of the competences and qualifications of the teachers and staff in primary and secondary schools in Palestine. - Strengthening the structure of the cooperative network of those in charge of the educational process in the provinces of Bethlehem, North Hebron, East Jerusalem and the Suburbs. - Improving the quality of the learning/teaching of the Palestinian teachers in fifty-eight schools in Bethlehem, North Hebron and Jerusalem in three projects components: Special Education (Learning Difficulties) components: Technology in Education Pedagogy & Learning / Teaching Methods and Strategies
Summary of the number and sector of schools of the project District
Bethlehem
Jerusalem Suburbs Jerusalem
North Hebron
Type of School
Number of Schools
Public
15
Private
16
UNRWA
2
Public
5
Public
4
Private
4
Public
10
UNRWA
2
Total
58
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Improving the Quality of Education
in Primary and Secondary Schools in Palestine
Number of Direct Beneficiaries
Major Activities
District
School Teachers
District Bethlehem
773
Jerusalem Suburbs
302
Training workshops
-
Conferences
-
Forums
1494
-
Public Lectures
180
-
School Based Training
Jerusalem Suburbs
41
-
Teaching Diploma
Jerusalem
20
-
Remedial Education
North Hebron
50
-
Extracurricular Activities
-
Educational Summer Camps
Jerusalem
95 360 TOTAL
Bethlehem
TOTAL
8
Educational Supervisors
Teachers, School Principals, Educational Supervisors and School Counselors
Teachers
School pupils
41
Jerusalem Suburbs
20
-
Open Days
Jerusalem
20
-
Awareness Campaigns
Parents
North Hebron
21
-
Resource Rooms
Pupils with learning difficulties
-
Educational summer camp
Bethlehem
102 180
Jerusalem Suburbs
80
Jerusalem
40
North Hebron
50 TOTAL
Bethlehem Pupils
291
Target Group
Bethlehem
TOTAL
Parents
Type of Activity -
North Hebron
School Principals
Number
350 1000
Jerusalem Suburbs
400
Jerusalem
300
North Hebron
800 TOTAL
2500
Total No. of Beneficiaries
4737
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Bethlehem University - Faculty of Education