Free Educational Content for Gaza Students
In a significant step to support education in the Gaza Strip, the Jordanian e-learning solutions company, Jo Academy, has launched a free electronic application designed specifically for students affected by ongoing conflicts. This initiative comes after over eight months of collaborative efforts between the Jordanian and Palestinian Ministries of Education, aiming to provide comprehensive educational resources across all subjects in the Palestinian curriculum.
The application is set to benefit more than 650,000 students in Gaza, delivering content in critical subjects such as science, mathematics, English, and Arabic. This initiative is particularly crucial as many educational facilities have been severely damaged due to the ongoing conflict that escalated on October 7, 2023, halting traditional educational processes.
Features of the Application
The Jo Academy application offers a variety of educational outputs, including audio, visual, and written materials, along with electronic exams to assess students' knowledge and skills. Alaa Jarar, the General Manager of Jo Academy, reported that the application has seen over 80,000 downloads, with approximately 230,000 students engaging with its content in recent weeks. Importantly, the app allows for multiple users within a single household, maximizing its reach.
The platform has received official approval from the Palestinian Ministry of Education, enabling students to take semester exams and earn educational certificates necessary for advancing to subsequent grades. This initiative not only caters to Gaza but also extends its services to students in the West Bank and occupied Jerusalem.
Supporting Education Amidst Adversity
Palestinian Minister of Education, Amjad Barham, emphasized that this platform will ensure that over 600,000 students continue their education despite the challenges posed by the conflict. The digital content includes thousands of educational videos and tests, which can be accessed with or without an internet connection, thus facilitating uninterrupted learning.
The project has seen contributions from over 200 educators and technical staff, ensuring high-quality educational resources. Additionally, the application offers access to certain university programs from the Jordanian Islamic University of Sciences, enabling students in Gaza to obtain necessary qualifications.
As students like Tulin Al-Turkmani share their positive experiences with the application, it becomes evident that such initiatives are vital in restoring educational opportunities in conflict-affected areas. With 11,600 school-age children reported deceased due to the ongoing violence, and many others deprived of their right to education, the Jo Academy's efforts stand as a beacon of hope for the future of education in Palestine.
