Palestine 2009 Intel ISEF Ed Academy السلطة الوطنية الفلسطينية Palestinian National Authority &

2 Introductions –Sabri Saidam –Palestinian President’s Advisor on Telecom, IT &Tech. Education –Role Help develop the ICT and Tech. Education in oPT Advise the Palestinian President on ways to back and support knowledge development Nurture innovational ideas and creativity in science and technology Establish networks with local and international partners Encourage relevant policies and legislations

3 Introductions - Amjad Al-Masri - Director of Information Technology Department - Ministry of Education and Higher Education Role : Apply E-Learning in Palestine schools. Develop School Learning Environment. Pedagogical use of ICT in Education. Improve ICT infrastructure

4 Introductions - Shereen Husseini - Science Program Manager -Al Nayzak For Extracurricular Education & Scientific Innovation- Jerusalem Role : Developing and implementing science programs and projects such as : - Palestinian Young Researcher Conference and Competition -Made In Palestine ( youth Innovations & Inventions) -Teacher Rehabilitation program -Scientific Theater

5 Educational Environment in Palestine SupervisionSchoolsStudentsTeachers Government1,833766,73038,134 UNRWA309253,1169,279 Private28878,1115,404 Total2,4301,097,95752,817 Centralized governmental educational system supported by a chain of private schools and schools run by the UN Refugees and Works Agency (UNRWA) West Bank and Gaza Population of 4,091,314

6 Educational Environment Students study for 12 years to graduate from high schools. High school (after 10 th grade) has three disciplines: science, literature or vocational. Only one discipline is pursued The General Secondary Certificate is considered a main requirement to join University education. Math: officially taught at 1 st grade onwards Science: Officially taught at 1st grade onwards.

Educational Environment Ministry of Education Policies : -Education for all. -Gender equality -Poverty reduction. -Focus on quality education. -Improve science and technology study. -Improve partnership. -Decentralization and restructuring of MoEHE DGs. 7

8 Science Fairs –Science fairs are organized at the end of the school year at district level. And two/three science fairs are nationally held per annum. –Many science fairs are held in individual schools in the West Bank and Gaza where school teachers and students run and manage such fairs. –The local community and institutions are invited to visit those fairs –Fairs cover: IT, control systems, environmental and scientific solutions, physics and chemistry. –The three biggest obstacles : –Financial issues –Consultancy matters needed for capacity building –Current unstable political situation.