Educational Research and Development Programme

The ERDP is well aware of the significance of working with a wider audience, particularly children and youths in an art community, which creates an enabling environment for art and science to play a pivotal role in the society’s future. To this avail, in partnership with the Ramallah Municipality, the ERDP inaugurated in October 2017 the Science Studio as the hub of an interactive science centre to be developed by local experts, including artists, engineers, and educators. In less than three months, the Science Studio hosted more than 48 schools from across Palestinian governorates. Students interacted with science exhibits as well as with education and art activities designed by the Science Studio team. The Studio also received individuals and groups with relevant expertise in education and art. These were brief about the Science Studio’s work on development of science exhibits, science education, and integration of science into art. In addition, the Science Studio allowed room to build partnerships and share future experience with interested institutions. 

In 2017, the ERDP set the grounds for a participatory experience between teachers, artists, community activities, parents, and pupils in the context of the Culture, Art and Community Engagement project. With co-funding from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), the AMQF implements the Culture, Art and Social Engagement project through the ERDP and Culture and Arts Programme. In this project, the ERDP seeks to transform practices, research, and community-based action into visual arts and artworks as a context to develop a community movement. During its first year of operations, the project worked in Jericho, Ni’lin, and Qalqiliya. In its second project cycle, the Programme has incorporated Anabta, Qatanna, and Khan Yunis. During the reporting period, key outputs of the project included the production of art works and cultural events. Campaigns led by local leading activists were also launched under the supervision of, and with support from, the ERDP. In addition to producing a theatrical performance in Jericho, an art exhibition was curated in Qalqiliya. Led by teachers and children, a campaign was launched to eliminate negative phenomena in Ni’lin. The project also produced a film, titled The Crossing Point, unveiling the socioeconomic style of life resulting from the crossing point and military checkpoint set up in close proximity to the village. 

 

In 2017, the ERDP finalised the implementation of its various tracks. Organised for the 11th year in a row, the drama in Education Summer School, which brought together 92 male and female teachers from Palestine, Jordan, Sudan, Egypt, Morocco, and Lebanon. This year, dozens of meetings were held to support teachers to develop drama plans and classroom applications. 

Also in 2017, the Drama inEeducation programme took a new turn. A decision was made to empower a team of teachers as an advanced and creative group, which is capable of training new teachers in Palestine and across the Arab world. Additionally, the programme organised intensive workshops on drama in Jordan and Egypt, initiating productive partnerships with Arab institutions in the areas of education and art. 

 

Albeit significant, partnerships in early childhood professional development were not limited to the Arab world. To keep pace with recent knowledge and applications around the world, ERDP researchers participated in conferences, exchange experiences, and training events. Researchers also presented research contributions in several countries, including Japan, Poland, Britain, and Thailand. 

In the context of the Early Childhood Professional Development programme, female educators have found their own space to share knowledge. In groups and under the supervision of ERDP researchers, these educators planned and implemented 32 practical projects at their kindergartens. In daily accounts, footage and writings, educators documented the implementation of these projects in order to present and reflect on them together with their colleagues. The Science Days Palestine (SDP) Festival provided a further space, where these educators proved to be creative for the second year. Educators went on a journey of experimentation and designed interactive activities around the theme of the Anthropocene age. Led by educators, relevant events were implemented in nine KGs. Educators volunteered to make these events a success. 

 

Throughout 2017, the ERDP organised dozens of workshops on playwriting and puppet animation. These brought together male and female teachers from across Palestinian governorates, including in the Gaza Strip via videoconference. Participants worked on draft plays and productions of puppet animation. These projects are still under development. 

 

Cinema occupied an important place in 2017. To this avail, the Cinema Culture at School was project was implemented over a period of six months. Teachers produced films jointly with their students. Under the supervision of local researchers and filmmakers, teachers had participated in a long-term training course on filmmaking. Teachers transferred this experience to their students in conjunction with the training event

 

Through teacher forums, teachers led a variety of activities and events at schools or in local communities. These included film screenings, conversations about films, and seminars to discuss educational and literary books. Throughout the year, the Ni’lin Teacher Centre organised workshops on drama, art, reading, and psychological health, Volunteers and researchers from the Centre delivered these workshops to dozens of children. The Centre also designed a Children’s Literature Programme jointly with early childhood educators in Ni’lin and neighbouring villages. In this programme, educators were introduced to children’s literature as a space to create art activities with children and as a world of imagination and questions, rather than indoctrination.  

 

The Publication Track is an effective component of the ERDP. It feeds into and supports other projects with specialised quality sources. In 2017, the ERDP published books and booklets on drama, theatre, science, and education. In December 2017, the ERDP also published the double issue 17-18 of the Ru’a Tarbawiyya Quarterly, featuring several Arabic and translated articles and research papers, most notably by Palestinian teachers and researchers. As a complement to providing valuable sources in all disciplines, the ERDP Library branches in Ramallah and Gaza provides a space that is readily accessible to teachers and interested individuals.