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Promoting human rights through school parliaments at the Zohour Girls’ School in Jordan

23 September 2016

Through school parliaments, UNRWA schools in Jordan promote a culture of human rights and strengthen democratic practices and life among students. Any student who wishes to compete for a position in the school parliaments can campaign using various methods, including banners and school radio broadcasts. The school parliament’s work is designed to give students an effective role in school life, and the decisions and advice to school leadership from parliamentarians can have a positive impact on student life and school activities, in addition to the local community. Participation in school parliaments also helps to teach the children important civic and social skills, including leadership, participation, decision-making and communication. The school parliaments exemplify the practical application of the themes set out in the US-funded Human Rights, Conflict Resolution and Tolerance (HRCRT) programme, including human rights, participation, equality and non-discrimination, respect and non-violent conflict resolution. 

On 14 July, during her visit to the Zohour Girls’ School in south Amman, the United States Ambassador to Jordan, Alice Wells, along with UNRWA Deputy Commissioner-General Sandra Mitchell met with members of the school parliament. In conjunction with the visit, Ambassador Wells also announced a contribution of nearly US$ 68 million from the Government of the United States to UNRWA, of which US$ 3.8 million will go towards the construction of a multipurpose school building in Zohour to replace the current rented facilities. 

U.S Ambassador to Jordan Alice Wells meets with the members of the Zohour Girls’ School Parliament. © 2016 UNRWA Photo by Viola E. Bruttomesso “I’ve been in the school parliament since first grade in UNRWA and non-UNRWA schools,” said fifth-grader Bayan Adel. “The experience here is different. We are truly engaged in the school’s activities. It is great to be in the school parliament. This experience is not like any other.” © 2016 UNRWA Photo by Viola E. Bruttomesso“My first parliamentarian experience was difficult for me. We had to be the linkage between the school administration and the students with regard to some issues. In the beginning, I had doubts, but now I’m confident that we can do a lot for our school and colleagues,” explained sixth-grader Mariam Muhannad (first from left). © 2016 UNRWA Photo by Viola E. BruttomessoNinth-grader Enas Ayman takes a selfie with Alice Wells, the US Ambassador to Jordan. “I participated in the parliament more than once. I won twice. It is amazing to know that your colleagues like you, trust you and have selected you to be their leader,” said Enas. © 2016 UNRWA Photo by Viola E. Bruttomesso“I ran for the parliament for five years. My participation enhanced my character and improved my negotiation and dialogue skills,” said tenth-grader Layan al-Adwan on her experiences in her school parliament. © 2016 UNRWA Photo by Viola E. BruttomessoThe Zohour schools are located in South Amman. In total, they comprise four schools that operate in two rented buildings on a double-shift. These buildings are structurally weak and the surrounding area is densely populated. More than 2,000 girls attend their classes in the four schools, which employ 100 UNRWA teachers and education staff. The United States recently provided US$ 3.8 million for the construction of a multipurpose school building to replace the rented facilities in Zohour. © 2016 UNRWA Photo“The construction of Zohour school is vital, replacing two rented buildings where four schools are accommodated,” said UNRWA Deputy Commissioner-General Sandra Mitchell. “The current buildings lack necessary facilities, which compromise teachers’ and students’ ability to completely engage with each other. The new American-funded school buildings will be well ventilated, allowing natural light in the classrooms, and fully equipped with computer laboratories, science laboratories, libraries and playgrounds."“I love science but we don’t have a science lab in our school; it is more like a storage place. We don’t have a library either. When we want to read we bring the books to our classroom. I heard the new Zohour school will have all this and more,” said Lana Abu Awad, a first-grade student at Zohour Girls’ School. © 2016 UNRWA Photo by Viola E. Bruttomesso“I participated in the regional reading competition where we had to read 50 different books. I couldn’t find interesting books in the school library,” recalled sixth-grader Bisan Maher. “I resorted to my mother to bring books to read. I was ranked fourth in the country. When I went to one of the private schools and saw their library I envied them; but not any more, our new school will have a big library.” © 2016 UNRWA Photo by Viola E. BruttomessoCurrently, the Zohour Girls’ Schools’ buildings are rented in facilities that were not designed to be used as schools, resulting in a number of challenges, including small classrooms; overcrowding; poor lighting and ventilation; and a lack of appropriate facilities, such as a computer laboratories, science laboratories, libraries, playgrounds and proper lavatories. © 2016 UNRWA Photo by Viola E. Bruttomesso“[The school parliamentarians] talked about their school, their dreams, and their needs,” said Ambassador Wells. “Above all, they acted like true and devoted parliamentarians and asked for a new school which will create a suitable environment for learning. I heard them and a new school will be constructed. I am hopeful that the new school would be to their satisfaction and will contribute to improving their education.” © 2016 UNRWA Photo by Viola E. Bruttomesso

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