Palestine refugee students return to in-class education

AMMAN — Palestine refugee students in Jordan on Wednesday returned to school for the first day of the 2021-2022 school year.

More than 119,000 children attend the 161 schools run by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) in Jordan, according to an UNRWA statement. 

“I’m very happy that we are finally back at our beloved school! I truly miss being in the classroom, with my friends and teachers!” said Lara, a sixth grader student at UNRWA Nuzha Girls School.

UNRWA schools opened their doors to students in line with the health and safety regulations of the government.

“This is a moment of celebration!” said the Director of UNRWA Affairs in Jordan Marta Lorenzo. 

Lorenzo joined students from the UNRWA Al Nuzha Girls’ School for their first day of school. 

“I’m very happy that we are finally seeing our students attend class in-person and being able to receive their education face-to-face again. Our amazing education staff have spared no effort to make sure no student is left behind and that learning continues without interruption for our refugee children,” said Lorenzo. 

During the Back-to-School ceremony, Lorenzo announced the update of 13 boys’ and girls’ schools in Amman New Camp (ANC) to seven single-shift schools effective immediately. 

This update aims to improve the quality of education in UNRWA schools by offering students the use of the entire school premises and the ability to participate in recreational and extra-curricular activities. 

Single shift schools also offer increased protection to students, as they go to and from school during daylight hours.

“Palestine refugee students, like all their peers around the world have the right to enjoy high standards of education at all times. We will always devote our efforts towards a better educational environment for Palestine refugees. So many of our students rely on UNRWA education and we strive to make this a reality for them,” said Oroba Labadi, UNRWA chief of Education Programme.  

Most of UNRWA schools in Jordan operate on double shifts due to the high student population and the agency’s limited resources due to continuous funding shortfalls. 

Students in Jordan who went back to learning on Wednesday are part of the over 534,000 Palestine refugee students educated in the 711 UNRWA schools across the agency’s five fields of operation.