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Educational News Digest

February 1995

Feb 1

• Teachers from Bethlehem and Hebron demonstrate against closure at Bethlehem checkpoint (Q)

Feb 02

• El. School in Beita village (Nablus) holds medical check day for disabilities in its pupils (Q)
• Teachers continue demonstration; GUPT leader calls for lifting of closure (Q)

Feb 3

• Mahmud Imran, aged 16, of Azzun village near Qalqiliya dies under torture in Israeli prison. (Palestinian sources). Fellow students hold demonstration and are dispersed by soldiers using tear gas and sound bombs
• Report on drama therapy programme funded by UNICEF and performed in Gaza by Ghirbal Theatre Group
• Report on Israeli torture of Bir Zeit students
• Iowa University delegation visits al-Najah university to discuss establishment of medical college
• Gathering of scout leaders in Jericho under auspices of MoE
• Press conference at Orient House on effect of closure on schools (Q)

• Arafat calls fifth closure since PNA took charge 'unacceptable form of collective punishment' (J)
  • Headmasters of private schools in Jerusalem say 85% of their teachers are unable to reach schools due to closure (J)

Feb 04

• Prisoners committee calls on international community to lobby to stop the closure and release 280 imprisoned Gazan students and the 30 West Bank students arrested recently (Q)

Feb 06

• Minister announces results of first stage in tawjihi exams, for which 7084 girls, 9651 boys and 252 prisoners sat, and says that problems of previous years (cheating and low results) have decreased (Q)

Feb 07

• Bethlehem branch of GUPT calls for payment salaries re-appointed teachers (Q)
• Teacher pensions raised by $41 (Q)

Feb 10

• Israel issues permits to some teachers (Q)
• Gazan studying at Bir Zeit wins $ 2 million in lottery but has to obtain special permit to leave Gaza Strip and collect prize (J)

Feb 12

• First issue of MoE educational monthly 'Sawt at-Tarbiyeh' (Voice of Education) issued in Gaza (Q)
• GUPT leader visits Hebron branch to discuss problems of re-appointed teachers and union elections (Q)

Feb 13

• Arafat orders incorporation of Gaza Blind School into MoE (Q)
• Minister discusses educational affairs with Egyptian representative in self-government area (Q)

Feb 14

• Article calls for Palestinian curricula and teacher training (Q) / Teacher committee in Fatah holds elections (Q)

Feb 16

• Minister visits private schools in Ramallah and al-Bireh regarding MoE/UNESCO curriculum centre (Q)
• Settlers open fire on a group of students going into Al-Bireh New School, wounding a 16 year old student; students hold demonstration in Hebron (Q)
• Article on problems of Arab Orphan Schools in Jerusalem, their present unclear stutus since the transfer of authority, so that teachers have not been paid and education of over 10,000 students in endangered (Q)
• Member of the Council for Higher Education of Arabs in Israel calls for changes in outdated curricula, with clear goals which suit the Arab community in Israel (Q)

Feb 17

• PECDAR and MoE select companies to design school development plans for Gaza
• Ibrahim Abu Lughod to head new curriculum centre; work to be completed in two years
• MoE announces plans for international co-ordination in teacher training, building of new classrooms, and development of relations between Gaza and West Bank schools
• Danish funding for Gazan doctors to train in Tel Aviv hospital
• Council for Higher Education to halt construction of new colleges until curriculum is ready
• EC grants $31 million for running costs of elementary schools and the eight Palestinian universities and seven colleges

Feb 21

• Article calls for introduction of computer as learning tool in Palestinian schools and curricula (Q)

MoE courses were held

• for science teachers in Jenin
• vocational education teachers in Deir Dubwan
• female PE teachers in Nablus
• school supervisors of Arabic language, science, Islamic religion, vocational and pre-school education
• female basketball teachers in Gaza
• female scout leaders
• Arabic language and social sciences teachers
• on child psychology in Gaza

In vocational training courses were given in:

• broadcasting and radio technology (with German agency)
• broadcasting and hotel cuisine (with Scottish expert).

Other Courses included:

• The Student Committees in Jenin held a seminar on drop-outs
• The Lutheran School in Ramallah and the YMCA in Gaza held a course on teaching of human rights
• CARE and the Palestinian Art Centre for Children held a day in puppetmaking
• MoE Staff attended a US conference 'The Image of the Other and Education for Peace' which suggested solutions for conflict situations in schools; and a technical education conference in France.

School activities:

• Cultural week by Al-Sawahari Al-Gharbiya School
• Am'ari Boys School wins first prize in UNRWA mathematics competition
• Exhibition of science teaching materials in El-Bireh Sec
• Girls School in cooperation with MoE
• Student competitions in poetry, speeches and short story writing held in Jenin district
• Students' art exhibition in al-Bireh Sec. Industrial Girls School
• Drawing competition for primary school children in Gaza Strip
• Parent councils were elected in al-Jami'a Model School and al-Malik Khaled El. Schools in Hebron, in Secondary Boys School in Deir Balut (Qalqiliya), the Co-ed El. School in Rafat village (Qalqiliyah)
• Parent Council in Qublan El. Boys School honoured 30 top students (Q)

Elaine Clark

Educational Network, POB 66, Ramallah, West Bank

tel: 02 995 6230/fax: 02 995 6231 e-mail: eclark@ednet.birzeit.edu