Ramallah - Palestine Economy Portal.

1.3 million Students headed to their schools all over the country on Sunday, including 854,390 in public schools, 150,000 in private schools and the rest in UNRWA schools.

The Minister of Education Marwan Awartani opened the school year 2019-2020 from the Bedouin Ka’abneh School in Al-Auja area near the city of Jericho.

Awartani said that Al- Ka’abneh Bedouin School is a model of education resistance on a land threatened with seizure and demolition by the Israeli occupation authorities. He also pointed out that the Ministry will support the school to be a model school in partnership with various groups of society.

For his part, a spokesman for the Ministry of Education Sadiq al-Khdour told "WAFA" that 50,000 teachers went to schools in the government sector, and 20,000 teachers to private schools, as well as UNRWA teachers.

Al-Khudhour added that among the requirements that were met were the Ministry of Education offered 1800 appointments, where 850 teachers have been appointed so far, 116 new directors and 100 teachers for kindergartens that will open 100 new divisions.

He added: 24 new schools have been built, 200 classrooms have been maintained, and floors have been added in some schools that have seen their students increase.

He pointed out that a percentage of students of private schools will enroll this year in public schools, which entails the need for teachers and classrooms and new school buildings.

Concerning the fees of private schools, Al-Khdour stressed that the Ministry will ensure that any increase in school fees is linked only to the natural increase in the cost of living issued by the Central Bureau of Statistics.

He noted that despite the financial siege imposed on our people by the occupation, all the requirements for the start of the school year were met, such as the appointment of teachers, the allocation of additional support for education in Jerusalem, printing and supply of books to the West Bank and Gaza, the construction of new schools, and the movement of principals and teachers.

In the context, the Ministry of Education stated that the new school year begins while education in Jerusalem continues to suffer from the policies of Israelization and Judaization, in addition to the difficulties and challenges imposed by the occupation in the areas named (c), stressing that education in  Gaza is the focus of its attention, and its keenness to protect education in light of the continued violations of the occupation.

The ministry stressed that it will continue to make every effort to protect education in Jerusalem and strengthen steadfastness in all locations and areas in triumph of the right to education, and that it will continue with determination and determination to build schools, provide financial support and expand programs that reflect the insightful educational vision.