Partnering to provide early childhood education
The first three years of school are crucial for children. Early childhood education lays the foundation for their development, and it’s a crucial period to get right.
Six-year-old Leen lives in a small village in the southern West Bank. His village never used to have a reception class, so the Palestinian children living there had to travel 10 kilometers to the closest one or miss out entirely.
World Vision Jerusalem West Bank Gaza worked with the local community and the Palestinean Ministry of Education to build an early childhood facility.
The village council donated land for the reception class and extended the existing primary school. We donated books, furniture and toys, and the Ministry of Education agreed to provide a full-time teacher.
The principal of the school smiles proudly, and says they couldn’t have wished for a better outcome:
We appreciate World Vison and the Ministry’s efforts in responding to our needs. Students are well taught and prepared to start first grade. They’re gaining new skills and are happy about the new play area. And because the reception class is run by the government, parents pay less fees. The number of reception students is expected to grow next year as we have more children registering to join.
- School Pricipal
Leen also gives the new reception class his seal of approval:
I used to go to a reception class in another village, far away from where I live. It was boring, and we didn’t have a playground. Now I love my local classes and enjoy playing with my classmates.
- Leen, 6
World Vision has worked in Jerusalem West Bank Gaza since 1975. World Vision’s budget is primarily spent on education, health, economic development and child protection initiatives.
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