UK and US officials express their support to the PA “especially in the area of education”

Headline: “Saidam emphasizes the role of school principals in the service of the education sector and in improving the quality of education”

“[PA] Minister of Education and Higher Education Sabri Saidam emphasized the role of school principals in serving the education sector, in improving the quality of education and focusing on topics likely to guarantee the achievement of desired goals.

This was during a seminar organized by the Ministry of Education and Higher Education… in which 36 new principals from the northern districts (i.e., the West Bank) participated…

Saidam called on the principals to emphasize the [sense of national] belonging among the students, especially when it comes to respecting national symbols, rights, and religious pluralism, to increase awareness of boycotting Israeli products, and to pay attention to hygiene in school…

Likewise, Saidam received British General Consul in Palestine Alastair McPhail (i.e., British Consul-General in Jerusalem) and briefed him on the ministry’s intention to create significant improvements in the education sector’s infrastructure. Saidam praised the British role, which supports the education sector… through scholarships, training programs, English language education, and additional joint projects…

McPhail emphasized his country’s unceasing support of the Palestinian people, especially in the area of education. He praised the active partnership with the [PA] Ministry of Education, and emphasized the continuity of the cooperation and partnership, whose goal is to serve the education sector in Palestine.

On the same subject, Saidam met with USAID CEO David Harden. The two discussed many joint educational projects. Saidam emphasized that it is important to strengthen the social and international partnership in order to develop the education in Palestine… and praised the efforts and contribution of USAID, which implements many projects and programs in the area of service provision and development, especially programs to train teachers and education personnel. Harden noted that ways and methods to guarantee the provision of aid to the education sector should be discussed, especially for rehabilitation and building of modern schools. [He added that] there should be interest in quality programs for education sector employee development, and additional aspects connected to the use of technology in education.”

[Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, Sep. 17, 2015]