Palestinian refugee students return to UNRWA classrooms in Jordan

Palestinian refugee students in Jordan returned to schools after a year of remote learning due to the Covid-19 pandemic, which forced classrooms to shutter in a bid to halt the spread of the virus.

Doors to school opened this week for refugee students, in line with health and safety regulations in Jordan.

"I'm very happy that we are finally back at our beloved school!" sixth-grader Lara said was quoted by a UNRWA statement as saying. "I truly miss being in the classroom, with my friends and teachers!"

More than 119,000 Palestinian refugee children attended 161 schools run by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) in Jordan.

Marta Lorenzo, director of UNRWA affairs in Jordan, said the reopening of schools were "a moment of celebration".

"I'm very happy that we are finally seeing our students attend class in person and being able to receive their education face–to–face again," Lorenzo said.

"Our amazing education staff have spared no effort to make sure no student is left behind and that learning continues without interruption for our refugee children."

Oroba Labadi, the agency's chief of education programme, highlighted the importance of refugee children regaining a sense of normalcy by returning to classrooms.

"Palestine refugee students, like all their peers around the world have the right to enjoy high standards of education at all times," Labadi said in a statement.

"We will always devote our efforts towards a better educational environment for Palestine refugees. So many of our students rely on UNRWA education and we strive to make this a reality for them."

There are some 5.7 million Palestinian refugees registered with UNRWA.

Most of them have faced unimaginable suffering since their ancestors were forced out of their homeland over 70 years ago.

UNRWA operates in the West Bank, Gaza, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria, to ensure Palestinian refugees receive basic services, such as access to education and healthcare.