Education Ministry launches after-school programme reaching thousands of students across Kingdom

AMMAN — The Ministry of Education launched on Tuesday the new “Nashatati” (our activities) programme, in cooperation with UNICEF and Generations for Peace. 

Starting out with 100 public schools across all governorates in the Kingdom, the initiative aims to “provide children with additional opportunities to interact through after-school activities that foster tolerance, acceptance, social cohesion and an active lifestyle”, according to a press release by UNICEF Jordan. 

The sessions, starting at October 1, will run for an hour-and-half each day of the week from Sunday to Wednesday, starting with trainings on social cohesion to later move on to physical activities that will further develop the concepts learned. 

Furthermore, schools will also open on Saturdays for students and community members to “attend and engage with activities in a safe environment”, Education Specialist at UNICEF Rana Kawar told The Jordan Times on Thursday. 

“Our purpose is to encourage children to engage in physical activities not for the sake of sport, but to impact the quality of their lives, improve their education and offer them an opportunity to engage with other children,” said Kawar, noting that the students will be introduced to “concepts such as teamwork, self-confidence, identity and integration”. 

“Nashatati” is expecting to reach 10,000 students through daily sessions in schools, and 60,000 children during Saturday activities, and the programme will be progressively scaled-up over the next three years with the aim of reaching all public schools in the Kingdom by 2019. 

For this purpose, the ministry trained a total of 400 teachers and volunteer youth leaders who will direct the daily sessions in schools over the first year of the programme, and Generations for Peace will carry out outreach campaigns across every governorate to spread awareness and encourage communities to participate. 

During the official launch on Tuesday, Education Minister Omar Razzaz said that “what is important about the Nashatati programme is that it creates a sense of social responsibility, encompassing both teachers and students to ensure that tolerance and acceptance are integrated into the everyday lives of their surrounding communities”, noting that the ministry wanted to “focus on creating a safe and fun space for children to take part in after school activities to enhance their life skills”.

UNICEF Country Representative Robert Jenkins stressed that the organisation “believes that the Nashatati programme, with the commitment and leadership of the Ministry of Education and the partnership with Generations for Peace, will bring about a positive transformation in the lives of school students and their families across Jordan”, adding that “the role of teachers, and the engagement of community members is key in ensuring that every child in school is able to participate and reap the benefits of the programme.”