CCE project combines creativity and life skills education in Jerusalem school

The Center for Continuing Education at Birzeit University celebrated concluding the “Toward High-Quality Education in Tala’ Al-Quds School” project on February 27, 2018. The project was implemented in cooperation with the Directorate of Education in Jerusalem and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

The project aims to improve the quality of education for the students of Tala’ Al-Quds School in Beit Hanina by implementing a capacity building program in designing, developing, and applying Experiential Learning Objects.

Attending the ceremony were Director of the Center for Continuing Education Marwan Tarazi, Director of the Unit for Learning Innovation Dr. Osama Mimi, UNDP Representative Nour Nasser, Director of Supervision at the Directorate of Education in Jerusalem Aziza Mashour, and Principal of Tala’ Al Quds Mohammad Al-Atrash.

Tarazi highlighted the success of the program, saying, “This project has helped immensely in developing the education process and improving the quality of its outcomes at Tala’ Al-Quds. This experience is one that should be undertaken at all schools to strengthen the role of teachers in designing creative lessons that would incentivize students to participate and apply lessons in their lives, not just inside the walls of a classroom.”

Dr. Mimi noted that the project was well-received by the instructors, which reflected positively on the students and facilitated proper knowledge production – one of the main goals of the Experiential Learning Objects project.

“The Center for Continuing Education,” added Dr. Mimi, “is constantly working to develop learning objects for all grades in partnership with the Ministry of Education and Higher Education. This will allow Palestine to export creative, 21st century educational models that improve life skills in the region.”

Nasser said that the success of the project at Tala’ Al-Quds School made the UNDP consider implementing similar projects on a larger scale, including at private schools.