“In Palestine, schooling goes on despite everything”: a delegation of teachers from the West Bank visits Reggio Emilia

A delegation from the “Peter Nettekoven” school in Beit Sahour, in the Bethlehem governorate of the West Bank, was hosted in Reggio Emilia from June 10 to 20 for a training program, as part of the fundraising initiative launched a few months ago by Volontari nel Mondo RTM and Fondazione Reggio Children – Centro Loris Malaguzzi, with the support of Fondazione E-35, aimed at opening a new early childhood center in Palestine. 

The initiative is part of the long-standing and consolidated relations between Reggio Emilia and the Bethlehem area and represents the continuation of projects aimed at the Palestinian educational community, carried out over the past decade by RTM and the Reggio Emilia 0-6 educational system.

Sawsan Istephan, Principal of the “Peter Nettekoven” School of the Greek Catholic Patriarchate of Jerusalem, Christin Alyatim, coordinator of the new early childhood center opened by the Patriarchate’s school in Beit Sahour, and Adriana Murad, educator, took part in a program of meetings with educational institutions and organizations in Reggio Emilia.

Beit Sahour’s school is one of the first among over 70 schools with which, since 2015, Reggio Emilia has collaborated in Palestine on cooperation projects supporting inclusive and high-quality early childhood education, such as the “AEPIC” and “PACE” programs funded by the Cooperazione Italiana.

Since its foundation in 1966, the Peter Nettekoven School has provided quality education and learning opportunities for all: children, boys and girls, Muslim and Christian families from different rites, and students with disabilities. Today, the school offers a complete educational path from early childhood services to high school.

Despite the enormous difficulties caused by the ongoing conflict, the school decided in 2024 to launch an experimental early childhood service for children aged 0-3, in order to remove one of the existing barriers to women’s employment. Opened in October 2024 with five enrolled children, the center currently accommodates 30 children and has a total capacity of 60 places. There are six spaces in the facility, four of which are already fully equipped, while two are still to be set up.

“Schooling Against All Odds: The Challenges of Education in Palestine Today” was also the theme of a meeting with educators, practitioners, and supporters of the school, organized by Fondazione Reggio Children, RTM, and Fondazione E35, attended by the delegation from Beit Sahour.

Francesco Gradari, Middle East Project Manager at RTM, emphasized that “thanks to the generosity of many, we were able to organize this training program for the Palestinian teachers. Our intention now is to support the school in completing the spaces dedicated to the new early childhood center. In the ocean of educational and other needs in the West Bank, opening such an educational service at such a dramatic time represents a drop of hope that must be protected and nurtured.” 

Cristian Fabbi, General Director of Fondazione Reggio Children, reflected on the challenges to be faced in Palestine and those confronting education today. “The meeting with our Palestinian colleagues in Reggio Emilia was very important to resume the discussion about projects with and support for Palestine. Support especially for educational institutions that work with the citizens of today and tomorrow. It was crucial to learn about the hardships currently faced by children, parents, and teachers in the territories. Intercultural dialogue has been at the heart of the projects carried out so far, in particular in drafting the guidelines for the accreditation of private 0-6 educational services. We have therefore committed to continuing, despite what is happening, to keep this relationship strong.” 

Sawsan Istephan, Principal of the Peter Nettekoven School in Beit Sahour, with over 30 years of experience and commitment in the educational sector in Palestine, proposed in 2024 to the organizations in Reggio Emilia to collaborate on creating the first early childhood center in her school, to complete the school’s educational cycle and welcome the youngest children: “Thanks to Reggio Emilia for welcoming us,” said the principal. “We especially thank Fondazione Reggio Children, RTM, and Fondazione E-35 for making this study visit possible in such a complex period. These days of training have allowed us to understand many aspects of the Reggio Emilia educational philosophy, where the child is at the center, has ample dedicated space, and is creative—and we will try to bring all this into our newly opened early childhood center within our school. We ask Reggio Emilia and the Italian people to continue this collaboration in support of education and early childhood for a better future in Palestine.” 

Giulia Bassi, Palestine Program Manager at Fondazione E-35, highlighted that “with Palestine, over time, we have undertaken a virtuous path aimed at gathering and enhancing the wealth of relationships and sensitivities already present in our territory, while also fostering connections between local authorities and institutions. This has enabled us, for several years now, to work together with the Municipality of Beit Jala, building joint projects and promoting initiatives focused on peacebuilding and the protection of rights. It is precisely in complex and tragic moments like these that such relationships must show their depth and true value. The educational field has always been, and will always remain, one of the most significant and strategic areas for working in this direction.”

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