CODSSY a le plaisir d’annoncer son partenariat avec le groupe ‘Taalim’ (éducation). Taalim a pour objectif d’établir des écoles et centres d’alphabétisation en Syrie utilisant le programme d’éducation d’urgence de l’UNICEF.
Ci-dessous vous trouverez un descriptif de travail de Taalim en anglais (une version française est en cours de développement et sera bientôt disponible sur le site de CODSSY).
Today, over 4 million Syrian children do not have access to education, the larger majority of which are inside Syria. Additionally, many of these children have not had access to schooling for almost three years now, which in turn is increasing the risk of an emerging illiterate generation. Therefore, Taalim aims to establish schools and literacy centers for these children using UNICEF certified curriculums.
Children inside war-torn areas in Syria are arguably the most vulnerable and in many cases the least likely to have access to aid and education. As such, Taalim has concentrated on supporting schools specifically inside Syria and has effectively succeeded in establishing education centers in areas that most international organizations can neither access nor operate in. This success is largely due to coordinating support efforts with a strong network of local civic organizations and local communities. An example of these organizations is the Hourrass (Guards) Network, which is a group that seeks to provide psychosocial support and protection for children.
Taa’leem is a non-profit, non-governmental organization that primarily aims to expand access to education and learning opportunities in Syria, through the establishment of schools and financially supporting their operational costs.
Taa’leem is a registered organization in France as a partner initiative of CODSSY.
Taa’leem was established by a group of Syrians with intersecting expertise:
- In education and schooling: Dana Malas and Dania Wattar
- In philanthropic organizations focused on education and youth: Maya Malas
- In humanitarian aid: Adnan Tarbishy, Rania Aljabri and Rafia Koudmani
Critical need for the project:
In addition to the information outlined in the beginning of this document, it is essential to note that:
• According to UNICEF 33% of schools in Syria have been destroyed. Additionally, a large number of schools have been converted to shelters housing internally displaced people.
• Many Syrian children suffer from psychological and mental illnesses as a result of the conflict, this is especially evident with children inside the country.
Standards and Monitoring:
• Strict measures and rejection of attempts imposing any political or ideological notions on the students whatsoever. This includes compulsory political recitals/chanting related to any party.
- Taalim employs the Syrian Arab Republic’s curriculum in its schools and institutions. However, in particular geographic areas some articles and sections related to the current political regime may be deleted.
- In the selection of teachers and staff Taa’leem uses criteria based on academic merit and experience. No discrimination will be made on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, sect, sex or ideological and political position stance.
- Taalim schools adopt the United Nation’s Declaration of the Rights of the Child, which ensures that the child’s interests are put first and that no discrimination will be made on the basis of race, religion, sect or sex.
Targeted beneficiaries:
Nursery (ages 4-5), elementary, preparatory and secondary school children in addition to programs that battle illiteracy in children.
Core Programmes:
- Reconstructing and restoring damaged schools or converting existing residential buildings into schools and providing them with furniture and required equipment.
- Covering the school’s monthly running costs and expenses
- Training courses for teachers and supervisors. This includes:
- Providing psychological support to the children to reduce negative effects of the conflict on them.
- Develop and implement new models in education and learning that enhance teamwork and reinforce the child’s self-confidence
- Provide training and follow-up on the school’s progress in collaboration with a network of organizations in Syria.
First Pilot Project:
At the start of the 2013-2014 academic year, Taa’leem joined forces an organization called “Ghosn Al-Zaitoun” (The Olive Branch) to set up a school in ‘Saida’ – a village in rural Daraa’ – with a capacity of 300 elementary students. Furthermore, in January 2014 a second branch opened, allowing an additional 200 elementary students to go to school.
Current Projects:
Taalim adopts projects for a minimum of one year (extendable).
Taalim utilizes studies and statistics issued by international organizations and collaborates with a group of local civic organizations to study and evaluate the necessity and need for education centers in the project’s area. Taa’leem is currently collaborating with the following organizations: Hourass Network (Syria), The Olive Branch (Daraa’), Zoom (Syria), Education is Light (Idlib).
- The Olive Branch’s school in Saida (located in rural Daraa’): The school was established in November 2013 and accommodates 350 elementary students. Monthly running costs are $2,600 for 9 academic months.
- School in Kansafra (located in Jabal Azzawya in rural Idlib): Project was initialized in March 2014 and accommodates 95 tenth grade students. Monthly running costs are $1,300 or $4,200 for 3 months. Summer months will be used to make up for lost school time.
In September 2014, this project will expand to include a full secondary school (eleventh and twelfth grade). The financial study for this expansion is still in progress.
- Nursery in Ain Larose (located in Jabal Azzawya in rural Idlib): The building is currently being renovated and equipped. Expected opening date is first week of May 2014. The school accommodates 150 students aged 4-5. Monthly running costs are $1,500 or $13,500 for nine months.
This project also includes 3 classrooms with an accelerated learning progamme (link available here) for children aged grade 1 to 6. This is for children that have not had access to school for more than two years.
- ‘Buds of Hope’ Nursery in Kansafra (located in Jabal Azzawya in rural Idlib): The building is currently being renovated and equipped. Expected opening date is first week of April 2014. The school accommodates 80 students aged 4-5. Monthly running costs are $1,100 or $9,900 for nine months.
- School in Kafranbel (rural Idlib): This project accommodates 200 students in an accelerated learning progamme for children aged grade 1 to 6. Expected opening date is mid-April 2014.
Future Projects:
- School in Tamaniya village (Khan Sheikhoon): Students have not had access to schooling in this area for more than two years. The project will include 220 students in elementary and ninth grade. The setting-up costs are $2,500 in addition to monthly running costs of $1,800.
- School in Douma (Damascus suburb) for 120 students. The school will include 6 elementary classrooms. The setting-up costs are $1,200 in addition to monthly running costs of $1,500.
- School in Al Zabadani (rural Damascus) for 220 students. The school will include 10 classrooms; 6 classrooms from grade one to six in addition to grade nine and both a scientific and literature twelfth grade. The monthly running costs of $3,000.
- Taalim will set up literacy centers for children in villages in Jabal Azzawya, adopting UNICEF’s literacy curriculums.
Training courses for Taalim members:
Training course in Ghazi Aintab for seven teachers with the Hourass Network costing $3,400. This includes travel and accommodation expenses (5 days) in Ghazi Aintab for the teachers and trainer through the Turkish borders.
