Improving the Learning Environment in Public Schools in Host Communities (ILEPS)

Programme description

Title: Improving the Learning Environment in Public Schools in Host Communities (ILEPS)
Commissioned by: Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)​​​​​​​
Cofinanced by​​​​​​​: Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC)
Country: Jordan
Lead executing agency: وزارة التربية والتعليم (Ministry of Education, Jordan)​​​​​​​
Overall term: 2014 to 2024

Context

Nearly a third of Jordan's 9.5 million inhabitants are third-country nationals, many of whom came to the country as refugees. The large number of Syrians poses a challenge for the Jordanian education system. More than 200 public schools operate in two shifts, teaching Jordanian children in the morning and Syrian children in the afternoon.

The existing infrastructure is not suitable for this significant increase in student numbers. Vandalism in school facilities is a widespread problem and maintenance costs are high. In Jordan, two-thirds of schools do not have functioning lavatories. One in three students has no opportunity to wash their hands. Many schools cannot afford hygiene materials. Due to the double-shift system, there is little social interaction between Syrian and Jordanian students.

Extracurricular activities (ECA) that promote creativity and social cohesion are rarely carried out because of a lack of funding. Therefore, the Ministry of Education has earmarked 20 per cent of school time for ECA. The enrolment rate of children with disabilities is low, as most schools are not accessible. There is no adequate transport system and also a lack of social awareness of the needs of children with disabilities.

Objective

The learning environment at public schools in host communities is improving.

Approach

Together with its Jordanian partners, the project supports solutions for clean, safe and inclusive learning environments through:

  • Rehabilitating facilities in double-shift schools. To this end, it applies needs-based structural design prototypes and provides accessible school gardens, playgrounds and sanitary facilities.
  • Improving the maintenance and facility management at schools in host communities.
  • Supporting the institutionalisation of extracurricular activities and assisting teachers in their ability to implement these activities.

Last update: September 2022