Jordan Valley Youth Council Calls for Strengthening Education in the Jordan Valley

At the conclusion of the Jordan Valley Youth Summit, the Jordan Valley Youth Council presented a set of demands aimed at enhancing the education sector in the Palestinian Jordan Valley. This came in a statement issued by the council, emphasizing the importance of education as a fundamental right for every citizen and a key tool in building a strong society capable of facing challenges.

The council explained that education in the Jordan Valley suffers from numerous problems due to Israeli policies that hinder development in the area. Chief among these issues is the lack of educational infrastructure, such as the limited number of schools and their distance from residential communities, forcing students to walk long distances to reach them. Additionally, many schools lack basic facilities and rely on mobile classrooms (caravans) that do not provide a proper learning environment.

The council also pointed to the arbitrary measures taken by Israel, including the demolition of schools and the imposition of stop-work orders on educational facilities in the Jordan Valley. Students and teachers are also subjected to assaults by the occupation forces and settlers. Furthermore, the council highlighted that poverty and harsh economic conditions pose significant challenges for families trying to meet their children's educational needs.

In light of these challenges, the Jordan Valley Youth Council called on the Palestinian government and the Ministry of Education and Higher Education to provide education at all levels — from preschool to high school — across all areas of the Jordan Valley. They urged the establishment of new schools and classrooms in underserved areas to guarantee children's right to education and to bolster the resilience of residents in the face of the occupation.

The council also demanded the provision of adequate transportation for both teachers and students, as well as psychological and counseling support for students to help them cope with the negative effects of the occupation’s practices. It affirmed the necessity of supporting education as a fundamental tool for sustainable development and for reinforcing the resilience of the Palestinian people in the occupied territories.

In conclusion, the council stressed that education is a cornerstone for the future of the coming generations in the Jordan Valley, and that providing a suitable educational environment is a national duty — especially under the difficult circumstances the region is enduring.