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UNRWA celebrates World Teacher’s Day

09 October 2018

Despite eight years of displacement, hardship, and insecurity due to the conflict, UNRWA remains committed to provide quality and inclusive education services to Palestine refugees inside Syria, and those forced to flee. In total, over 50, 000 Palestine refugees are enrolled in UNRWA schools in Syria.

The Agency employs over 1,700 teachers in 103 schools across Syria. The theme for World Teacher’s Day this year is “The Right to Education Means the Right to a Qualified Teacher.” UNRWA works hard to ensure that its staff are properly qualified so that our students get the best possible education. UNRWA students consistently outperform their peers in field-wide standardized exams. 

UNRWA students and staff are supported by generous donors, including the Government of Japan. Meet some of the many UNRWA staff members who continue to ensure that the next generation of Palestine refugees will succeed.

“One of my best students, who I taught in Yarmouk camp at the start of my career as a teacher, has now completed his academic studies and works at a bank. It’s so rewarding, and inspiring, to see one of your students doing well in life,” says Abdallah Nassif, a science teacher at Palestine School in Damascus. © 2018 UNRWA Photo by Taghrid Mohammed“Teaching is my passion. We must develop students who are resilient and life-long learners,” says Firas Abu Shouk, a 35- year-old mathematics teacher at the UNRWA Palestine School. “Building relationships with my students is a key component of my work. I do this by listening, laughing, and talking to them about their problems and thoughts.” © 2018 UNRWA Photo by Taghrid Mohammed"My greatest achievement as a teacher has been to see the difference I can make in the life of my students,” says Bassam Agha, an Islamic studies teacher. “My students have been emotionally scarred by displacement and the subsequent disruption of their education. We are trying our best to help them cope with this difficult situation.” © 2018 UNRWA Photo by Taghrid Mohammed “Although the conflict continues to have a devastating impact, I feel that students are more motivated today than in previous years. They no longer worry about a mortar shell landing near the school, or hitting their home. They stay focused,” says 33 year-old Lamaya’a Hassan, a social studies teacher at Beit Lahya School in Khan Dunoun camp. © 2018 UNRWA Photo by Taghrid Mohammed“It’s important to stay up to date on the latest teaching techniques, that way we can engage the students more,” says Hanan al-Toubeh who teaches science at the UNRWA Palestine School. “Over the last few years, we have worked to increase coping skills and resilience at the school, in order to help children cope with the extreme stress they face,” she notes. © 2018 UNRWA Photo by Taghrid Mohammed “Teaching is the best job in the world. It is a wonderful experience for me to teach the English language,” says Faten al-Shihabi, a teacher at the Palestine school. “I enjoy engaging and motivating my students to learn a foreign language…helping them to develop their knowledge, skills and understanding of a different language and culture.” © 2018 UNRWA Photo by Taghrid Mohammed “I work hard to make the classroom fun and convey lessons in a playful way,” says Rudi al-Bash, a fourth grade teacher at the Palestine school. “Teaching brings positive energy into my life. That energy ripples outward into other aspects of your life.” © 2018 UNRWA Photo by Taghrid Mohammed“Teaching is an incredibly rewarding job,” says Muneera Malkash, who teaches at al-Houleh School in Khan Dunoun camp. Like most UNRWA teachers, she was an UNRWA student herself in the past. “In my experience, what keeps students motivated is a motivated teacher. If you have a passion for teaching, your students are more likely to show a passion for learning.” © 2018 UNRWA Photo by Taghrid Mohammed

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