On the 29th of February 2016, the Khawla Bint Al Azwar school extension in Irbid was celebrated with an opening ceremony. The extension is supported by the Norwegian Embassy and implemented by the NRC, as part of our work to support refugee hosting communities in Jordan.
“Education is vital for these young children, especially for girls, as they are builders of society,” said Merete Munch, a representative from the Norwegian Embassy, at the ceremony.
“As Malala Yousefazi, the 17-year-old noble prize-winner, said: ‘Let us pick up our books and our pens. They are our most powerful weapons. One child, one teacher, one book and one pen can change the world,’” Munch said.
Support to the local community
The influx of Syrian refugee children to the country has left the Jordanian school system overstretched. The city of Irbid, Jordan, hosts more than 22 thousand students in its public schools. The extension forms part of NRC’s current work in Jordan, to provide both Jordanian citizens and Syrian refugees with education, equal opportunities and resources.
“NRC is cooperating with the Jordanian Ministry of Education to help support schools by increasing the capacity of some schools, upgrading some health facilities and furnishing others in Irbid,” said NRC’s country director in Jordan, Petr Kostohryz.
The school principal, Nisreen Al Waqfi, thanked the Norwegian Embassy and NRC for the support and utmost care that have increased the school’s capacity and provided spacious classrooms for the students to enjoy.
