For grade nine students, this time of the year – when exam season is knocking at the door – is very stressful, not just for them but for their parents as well. Students are filled with uncertainty about their preparedness for their high school entrance exam. Being the first big exam of their lives, it is a stepping stone to their futures. Parents are busy helping them with with their study schedules, and are there to encourage and support them to help them stay on track to achieve their goals. At the same time, UNRWA schools are also in overdrive, working to provide last-minute support classes to inspire students to do well and boost their confidence, in preparation for their exams ahead.
Grade nine students Mohammad Nassar and Abdulla Diab attend the UNRWA Haifa School in Damascus. Displaced from Yarmouk camp following its almost complete destruction, Mohammad and Abdulla are among 5,050 Palestine Refugee students taking the grade nine national exam this year. Thanks their support classes – made possible with funding from the European Union – they have gained important practice in exam techniques through studying past papers. “Preparing for an exam can be stressful, but it doesn't have to be. There is no need to stress out. By doing a couple of simple things ahead of time, we can ensure that we are ready for anything that comes up in the test,” said Abdulla.
Underlining the importance of having a supportive learning environment at his school, Mohammad added: “Creating a supportive environment will help provide a safe and engaging environment for students. Our teachers are very collaborative and they value our contributions.” Mohammad wants to be a laboratory technician, while Abdalla dreams of becoming an IT Engineer.
For UNRWA, education can help young Palestine Refugee children cope with their daily challenges and develop their full potential to become confident and innovative to be able to contribute positively to the development of their own community. UNRWA is committed to providing these children with quality education to thrive and be empowered to realize their dreams. Education is a lifeline for Palestine Refugees and a key to a brighter and more prosperous future.
Mohammad and Abdalla exemplify how strongly Palestine Refugees value learning and how they strive to continue their education amid an almost overwhelming backdrop of conflict and prolonged displacement. The Agency provides support classes to some 5,050 grade nine Palestine Refugee students enrolled in UNRWA schools in Syria. This intervention is made possible by the generous contributions of donors such as the European Union.
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 European countries. It is founded on the values of respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights, including the rights of persons belonging to minorities. It acts globally to promote sustainable development of societies, environment and economies, so that everyone can benefit.