Ref: 83/2007
Date: 02 August 2007
Time: 13:00 GMT
Political Differences Affect Education:
Secondary School Graduates Threatened by Loosing the Chance for University Education
PCHR is extremely concerned over the latest developments in the power struggle between the Palestinian governments in Ramallah and Gaza, which have directly impacted the educational sector. This struggle now threatens the future of thousands of Gaza Strip students and is oblivious to their feelings and the feelings of their parents after a long and hard educational year. The Centre considers the politicization of education to be an infringement on the right to education that is protected by the Basic Law and by international human rights instruments.
At approximately 13:00 on Thursday, 2 August 2007, Secondary School Certificate “Tawjihi” results were announced in the Gaza Strip without coordination between the bodies in Ramallah and Gaza. The announcement of results came contradictory to expectations of having them announced in a unified national celebration naming top ranks inclusive of the West Bank and Gaza Strip for the first time. However, the presence of two governments on the ground caused a dangerous divide, and delayed the announcement of exam results for 2 weeks. The announcement of results in the Gaza Strip came after both governments failed to agree on comparing results from all areas of the West Bank and Gaza Strip, paving the ground for a separate announcement for each part. It was possible to avoid such a problem if Ministry of Educational professionals such as the Director of Tests to announce the results; or to announce the results in schools away from provocative press conferences.
The Director of Public and International Relations in the Ministry of Education in Ramallah, Basri Saleh, informed PCHR’s fieldworker that the Ministry in the West Bank will not approve test results from the Gaza Strip if they are announced by any party except the Ministry in the West Bank. He stated that there are mechanisms to approve test results that include submitting the results to Ramallah, reviewing them, and signing them by the Minister and the official Ministry seal. He stated that the Ministry would not approve test certificates issued from Gaza. He added that the responsibility falls on those who insist on issuing the results from Gaza.
Dr. Mohammad El-Agha, the acting Minister of Education in the Gaza government stated in a press conference that his Ministry was forced to announce the results after many compromise suggestions were rejected by Ramallah.
This development threatens Gaza Strip students with an ambiguous future. It is noted that 28,850 out of 34,458 students passed the exams. The students who passed are threatened with losing the opportunity for higher education in Arab and international countries if the Government in Ramallah does not approve their certificates. This will be a very dangerous precedent that did not surface even during the most difficult years of the Israeli occupation. It is noted that all international universities require the approval of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Education in the home country before accepting students for higher education studies. Local universities require approval from the Ministry of Higher Education for enrollment. As a result, Gaza Strip students are in a serious predicament threatening their educational rights.
It is noted that Gaza Strip secondary school students took their exams in very dangerous circumstances. At the time of exams, the Gaza Strip witnessed fierce clashes between Fatah and Hamas, which paused a threat to students. One student, Aisha Maher El-Shawa, was killed on her way home from an exam. In addition to ongoing Israeli operations in the OPT, internal clashes and security chaos led to the delay in some exams in some areas when they prevented students from reaching their schools.
PCHR strongly condemns the severe negligence by official Palestinian parties towards Gaza Strip students, and their indifference to their feelings and sacrifice in the difficult circumstances they face; and:
– Holds both governments in Ramallah and Gaza responsible for toying with the educational process, and for threatening the educational future of thousands of students.
– Calls upon both governments to quickly resolve this crisis, to approve test results, approve certificates by both governments, and to work to strengthen the credibility of the Palestinian secondary school certificate.
– Calls upon all political parties to neutralize education and the management of humanitarian institutions from the ongoing political struggle, and to work to support these institutions by the means of their continuance.
– Rejects that Palestinian civilians fall prey to political wrangling and the power struggle between Fatah and Hamas.
– Reminds both governments and the Palestinian Presidency of their duty towards their citizens; and calls upon all concerned parties to take the necessary steps to ensure the fulfillment of the right to education for Gaza Strip students.
