–You know, I’ve been teaching for seven years and I was sure I knew everything about how to be a teacher –says Raywa Jubran, of the Annukhbeh school in the Bethlehem district. However, after participating in the training course for teachers on Testing in Reading and Writing, this English teacher said she could not be more wrong–. I’ve realized how much we can improve when teaching –she continued– and how much impact this improvement has in the performance and attitude of the students.

 

 

–I agree –says Salma Salhat, her co-worker who, with over 10 years experience teaching, admits that after implementing what they learned in the course of Class Management, she has seen the consequences of having herstudents motivated–. The classroom environment has improved a lot, I can teach and they are willing to learn

–she concludes with the gestures of approval of five other teachers, but from different schools in the Bethlehem area.

This evening they have gathered to share experiences and evaluate their progress through the training courses for teachers which they have participated in, offered by Bethlehem University under the framework of the Convention “Improving primary and secondary education in the Palestinian Territories,” funded by AECID and implemented by Bethlehem University with the FPSC.

Very often the question arises whether these teachers put to practice the techniques learned in these training courses…

–Definitely! –states Ghadirof the Rosary School, before the sentence is finished. A teacher of Science and Technology has already taken at least four courses, including Learning Difficulties–. With proper training, teachers like us can help students with special educational needs that are not severe –she assured.

In Palestinian schools an average of 20-22% of children in each classroom can not follow the lessons due to some form of learning difficulty. So far the teachers have not received any instructions on how to diagnose and help mild cases of learning disabilities so that these students can continue in the school system. With activities on special educational needs under the Convention “Improving primary and secondary education in the Palestinian Territories,” funded by AECID, significant strides are being taken towards inclusive education in Palestine.