Palestine School

"Two Palestinian schools - and the startling problems that they face every day (with video)"

"School life on the West Bank

Two Palestinian schools - and the startling problems that they face every day - are the subject of a remarkable new film from EducationGuardian and Teachers TV

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Two Palestinian schools - and the startling problems that they face every day

Anthea Lipsett
Wednesday January 30, 2008
EducationGuardian.co.uk

Striking teachers, overcrowding, imprisoned pupils and Israeli army raids are just some of the problems faced by two Palestinian schools featured in a new film from EducationGuardian and Teachers TV broadcast today.

The film looks at Hajja Rushda and King Talal schools run by the Palestinian Authority in Nabla.

At Hajja Rushda, 41 teachers have to teach nearly 900 students, aged between six and 18. King Talal faces similar pressures, although it teaches 16 to 18-year-olds.

Since the Hamas government took over in 2006, financial aid has been cut. Teachers were not paid for six months and eventually went on strike for three months. Now the government wants teachers to work six-day weeks for no extra pay.

Both schools face high demand for places in a country that places a high premium on education. About 90% of the students will go on to university.

Every year the Israeli army kills around 120 Palestinian children and injures and imprisons many more. Almost half of the students at King Talal have close family members in prison.

The film shows 17-year-old Jonaid Salamih who is in his final year at school. His younger brother Osaid should have moved up to King Talal this year, but he was unable to take the exams because he is being held in an Israeli prison after being arrested at a military checkpoint for having an explosive device.

The Israeli army claimed he was attempting to blow up the checkpoint. But the explosive device was a firecracker that had cost Osaid about 50 cents.

After six months of being detained without charge, his family have had news that he is to be released.

The second film looks at Osaid catching up on exams he missed while he was detained.

The third shows how important education is to the region after the tragic impact of military occupation is laid bare when violence breaks out near the school.

See how Iz-ray-HELL treats the children, readers?

Why I have such vitriol for them!