With generous support from Welfare Association (WA) Sister Organization WA-UK, and as part of The IndependentChristmas Appeal allocated to cover health and educational needs of young Palestinian children, WA signed an agreement on Wednesday, September 19, with the Ministry of Education (MOE) to improve the status of school health in Palestine.

The signing ceremony took place at MOE Headquarters in Ramallah, and was attended by Ms. Lamis Alami, Minister of Education, MOE Senior Directors, a number of WA Directors and Managers, as well as various representatives from the local media. In her speech, Minister Alami emphasized the significance of this project in improving the status of school health in Palestine. Sufian Mushasha, WA Director of Operation, stressed on his part the importance of continuing the close coordinating between MOE and WA, particularly since WA has since its establishment prioritized supporting the education sector and has till now spent over $50 million for that purpose.

The signed agreement allows for the implementation of an ambitious project that will directly benefit 20,000-25,000 students and over 200 school teachers and staff from 40 schools in the West Bank and Gaza. Project activities will include:

• Capacity Building: Training of health committees in the 40 schools in community mobilization, identification of needs and gaps, making and carrying out action plans, and creating student-friendly policies at the school.
• Improving Student Health and Nutrition: a)Improving screening systems in schools for physical and learning disabilities and establishing local referral systems, as well as providing eye glasses and hearing aids that are not covered by health insurance or by MOH; b) Conducting life skill training in adolescent health issues including personal hygiene and nutrition, and; c) Improving nutrition through healthy snacks for young children, healthy sandwiches for older children and nutritional supplements as required.
• Improving School Infrastructure and Environment: a) Supporting school environment clubs to improve the grounds and school, including garbage and sanitation, and water access; b) Rehabilitating schools with substandard windows and doors, and toilet facilities and water and electrical networks, and; c) Ensuring that each school has first aid station and fire safety equipment and a security system.

It is worth noting that this project comes in response to a broad spectrum of pressing needs in the area of school health in Palestine where, to name some, chronic malnutrition affects nearly 10% of children under age five; more than 30% of children suffer from anxiety, phobia or depression; 60% of first grade students have teeth decay, and; 50% of school children suffer from anemia.