مشروع المركز التعليمي المتنقل لتحسين فرص التعليم في المناطق المهمشة
Under the auspices of the Minister of Education and Higher Education Dr. Sabri Sidem, the Center for Continuing Education and Community Service (CEC) at Al-Quds Open University, concluded the activities of the “Mobile Learning Center for Improving Educational Opportunities in the Marginalized Areas of Southern Hebron”.
Mr. Mahmoud Hawamda, the Director of (CEC) provided a presentation about the project and its importance indicating that the project is carried out by Continuing Education and Community Service Center (CEC), and funded by the Swedish Government, Austria, and Norway through (CRDP) program to develop C Areas Community, run by the Palestinian Government and implemented through UNDP/ PAPP. Mr. Hawameh commented that the project activities don’t only provide computer education and e-books, but also teach recipients how to use the computer lab in the curriculum for (sixth to tenth grades) in a number of schools, including: Al- Hathalin, Alka’abneh, Masafer Yatta, Zweiden, Aldairat, Al Daqiqa school in Mafasser Yatta, and Semiya in Al samou’.
Prof. Younes Amr talked about the goals of the project and how it contributes to improving the quality of education in the marginalized areas in the southern parts of Hebron and in East Jerusalem, through equipping a truck with computers and a library containing electronic and printed books. The project also worked to raise the competencies of teachers in the targeted schools through conducting training courses. This project also contributed to enhancing the voluntary work values, charity work and teamwork skills through the participation of youth in voluntary campaigns.
Mr. Roberto Valente, the Special Representative of the United Nations Program for the Assistance of the Palestinian People (UNDP) commented : “We are proud of our management and support for the program to develop and support the resilience of the community through this unique project of the Mobile Education Center”, stressing the strategic relationship with Al Quds Open University in supporting education in Palestine.
The Project Manager, Eng. Mohammad Fahel, presented the results of the project: the preparation of a mobile educational center equipped with all modern educational means, a library of electronic and printed books, and the training of technology teachers on the use of technology and its integration into education according to the theoretical framework (TPACK). Twenty seven women have been trained on basic computer skills and about (100) volunteers from Hebron and Bethlehem areas were trained on social work concepts and leadership skills in order to organize voluntary campaigns: : Cleaning up campaigns for the targeted areas, painting the walls of Al-Ka’abneh and Zuwaidan schools besides organizing seven fun days for school students, which included extracurricular activities, competitions and the distribution of gifts to 1256 students. The campaigns also included (Winter Camp) that aimed to implement extracurricular activities and enhance student’s skills in Arabic, English, Mathematics and computer use.