/ Thursday, September 13, 2018 / Categories: Seminars, PMA Ministry of Education and Higher Education: New Steps to Promote the Role of Local and Banking Sectors in Supporting Education September 13, 2018 – The International and Public Relations Directorate of the Ministry of Education and Higher Education organized a symposium on stimulating the role of the local and banking sectors in supporting education in Palestine. The symposium was under the auspices and participation of the Minister of Education and Higher Education Dr. Sabri Saidam. The Governor of Palestine Monetary Authority Mr. Azzam Shawwa participated in the symposium. Assistant Deputy for Financial, Administrative, Buildings, and Procurement Mr. Fawaz Mjahid also joined the symposium. Assistant Deputy for Higher Education Affairs Dr. Ihab Al-Qobbaj, businessman Mr. Munib Al-Masri, Secretary General of the Teachers’ Federation Sa’ed Ezrikat, directors general from the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, representatives of the banking and local sectors in Palestine and academics also participated in the symposium. Dr. Saidam said the symposium was important since it involved decisions and plans for all stages of education. Mr. Saidam praised the partnership between the Ministry of Education and Higher Education and different stakeholders for the benefit of education. The symposium presented future perspectives about developing and supporting education. Dr. Saidam addressed the role of the Ministry of Education and Higher Education in safeguarding education especially in view of the vicious attack of the occupation on Palestinian education, Jerusalem, Gaza, Hebron old city, marginalized areas, and diaspora. Dr. Saidam said it was important to support schools in such areas and boost their resilience. Dr. Saidam said the Council of Ministers had approved the construction of more schools in targeted areas and thanked the local and banking sectors for their support of education. It is important to intensify support to education and emphasize quality and outputs of education to ensure the concept of in depth and interactive education. The Ministry of Education and Higher Education trains and qualifies teachers on new curricula, integration and expansion of vocational, technical, and general education, and encouraging students to enroll into vocational education. The general secondary school exams would be replaced by vocational qualification for vocational education. Students would be encouraged to study entrepreneurship and business and free activity would be supported at schools. The Ministry of Education and Higher Education is also interested in expanding partnership with the local and banking sectors and establish joint coordination committee for better investment in education, according to Dr. Saidam. Mr. Shawwa said, “Education is considered an investment in generations. It is a key objective of sustainable development. It ensures decent living for Palestinian households. Therefore, Palestine Monetary Authority, banks, and lending institutions have never faltered from supporting education in Palestine.” Mr. Shawwa called on private sector establishments to support and empower education since the financial sources that went into education would ensure sustainable social and economic development for the Palestinian community. Palestine Monetary Authority has throughout the years – on the basis of corporate social responsibility – launched yearly activity of the children and youth money week in association with the Ministry of Education and Higher Education. The activity had noticeable impact on enhancing the banking culture awareness and capacities of the target groups. Palestine Monetary Authority had also signed several memoranda of understanding with Palestinian universities to support education through exchange of expertise and organizing workshops, conferences, and training. There was also student loan program. Palestine Monetary Authority contributed to facilitating obtaining required financing of education development projects. Banks also contributed to granting scholarships to college students as part of corporate social responsibility. Palestine Monetary Authority urged banks and gave them incentives to appropriate part of their credit portfolio to finance education projects in Jerusalem district and developed students’ capacities through training at and organized workshops to educate students and workshops to know about the objectives and activities of Palestine Monetary Authority and central banks, said Mr. Shawwa. The Director General of International and Public Relations of the Ministry of Education and Higher Education Mr. Nadeem Sami stressed in the welcoming remarks the importance of the role of the local and banking sectors in supporting education and the importance of enhancing the participatory relationship between the local and banking sectors for the benefit of education. Director General of Education Planning DR. Mammon Jaber comprehensively addressed education in Palestine, including opportunities and challenges and objectives, and affirmed enhancing lifelong education opportunities. Businessman Munib Al-Masri said it was important to support higher education especially in Jerusalem and called upon private sector establishments to promote and diversify support to education. The symposium included discussions about establishing committee to enhance participatory work between the Ministry of Education and Higher Education and the local and banking sectors, support education in Jerusalem, raise awareness about the concept of vocational and technical education, develop cooperation and integration programs, and match study topics with labor market requirements. ***** Previous Article سلطة النقد الفلسطينية تصدر تقرير الاستقرار المالي لعام 2017 Next Article Palestine Monetary Authority and Amin Furniture Sign MoU to Receive Integrated Credit Information System Service Print 2097