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AMMAN/MAFRAQ – For the past five years, Nour Shurafat, a Jordanian teacher, has faced a great difficulty in taking control of her classrooms at Asma Bint Abi Baker School in the northern village of Zaatari near Mafraq. 

The influx of Syrian refugees into the Kingdom during the past period has resulted in a significant increase in the number of students Shurafat has to accommodate. 

"Now, I deal with 40 students in one class consisting of both Syrians and Jordanians. In the past I used to teach around 25 students and now the number is higher, which requires more exceptional efforts to control the situation," she told The Jordan Times in a recent interview at the school. 

But the number of students Shurafat is dealing with is smaller when compared to other classes at the same school.

The principal of the school, Taghrid Mashaqbeh, said a total of 570 Syrians attend classes  during the  afternoon shift, with an average of 70 students in one class. 

"The main problem is the growing number of students and the solutions are short term. The Syrian crisis does not seem like it will end soon and we will definitely receive more students," she told The Jordan Times at her office. 

The main challenge for most educators in the northern village is not only the number. Age is a bigger issue, especially in light of the coeducation systems for the first four grades. 

Randa Nuaimi, the principal of Qortba School in the same area, said many Syrian boys who are aged 12 study in the same class with girls who are younger than them. 

"The problem is that these children missed academic years and when they first attend school in Jordan, they attend the class they had to leave in Syria. This makes the girls uncomfortable and this is a disturbing problem," she told The Jordan Times at her office. 

Most of the turnout of Syrian children seeking schooling concentrates in the northern governorates due to their proximity to home, followed by the vast North Badia, according to figures provided by the education department in the desert region. 

A total of 146 schools located there are attended a total of 3,090 Jordanians  and Syrians students, according to the directorate. 

Of the total number of  schools, three operate a double shift, attended by 1,281 students, the statistics showed. 

There are also 24 schools located inside the Zaatari camp for Syrian refugees, which is also located in the governorate of Mafraq. 

The figures constantly change because many Syrian families move to neighbouring cities to seek job opportunities and better living conditions. 

Mashaqbeh said the rising number of students has not only forced the administrations of the schools to shorten the duration of classes, but the crowds have a negative impact on infrastructure.

“The infrastructure has been negatively affected including windows, chairs, bathrooms and other facilities and we can hardly find the funds to carry out maintenance work,” she added. 

The headmistress said they try to attract international organisations to support them financially when it comes to rehabilitation, but she said they are facing difficulties to do so as most organisations prefer to focus on the capital and Zarqa. 

Asma Khaldi, her assistant, said these organisations sometimes pay attention to the Syrian student, at the expense of the Jordanian peers, which makes the later a bit sensitive towards their Syrian classmates. 

UNICEF Representative to Jordan Robert Jenkins said he thinks it is true that public schools have been placed under mounting pressure by the influx of Syrian refugees and the world is aware of that and is trying to help.  

“It was globally recognised at the [donor] conference in London [in February]. The Ministry of Education with UNICEF and other donors are trying to ease that pressure through different means”.

These include expanding the school system by building more schools and renovating existing ones, he told The Jordan Times at UNICEF headquarters in Amman. 

He noted that they are working with the ministry on the quality of education in general. “It is important for us to continue explore how the formal school system can provide other means of learning.” 

During the London conference, the government announced that donors pledged $700 million a year for 2016, 2017 and 2018 to develop services and infrastructure in the fields of health, education, water and municipal services in host communities.
Donors also pledged to offer concessionary loans worth $1.9 billion a year until 2018, in addition to grants worth $900 million over three years.

They also expressed willingness to secure funds for education to 80,000 to 90,000 Syrian students at a cost of $1 billion to build more classrooms and new schools to accommodate them. 

Mashaqbeh said, following the outcomes of the conference, she had a hope that many schools including hers would be expanded to put up with students.  

The Ministry of Education was not available for comments on the issue despite several attempts made by The Jordan Times.  

Khaldi hoped that the new schools would included facilities like theatre and labs because many public schools lack such facilities. 

For Nour Shurafat, she wants some peace of mind. 

AMMAN — An army statement said Wednesday that Border Guards had received 100 Syrian refugees over the previous 24 hours and transferred them to shelters and camps. 

Royal Medical Service personnel attended to the injured, according to the statement carried by the Jordan News Agency, Petra. 

AMMAN — Israel on Wednesday banned MP Yihya Saud from entering the occupied West Bank, where he was scheduled to attend a reconciliation gathering between two tribes, a Jordanian and a Palestinian, the lawmaker told The Jordan Times. 

Saud, who chairs the Lower House Palestine Committee, said he was supposed to be in the city of Ramallah as he was invited by the Samhan tribe there to attend the reconciliation gathering with a delegation from the Karak Majali tribe to complete reconciliation procedures over the shooting death of Mohammad Samhan.

Mohammad was shot to death in Amman's Tlaa Al Ali area last November by a member of the Majali tribe, who suspected the victim to be a thief as he was wandering at dawn in the area. 

Relatives of the victim told The Jordan Times previously that the victim was a journalist-based in Ramallah and that he was in Amman to renew his Jordanian passport. He was in his early 30s. 

The relatives said the man was lost in the area as he could not find the building in which he rented an apartment. 

Saud said Israelis refused to allow him into the West Bank because of his pro-Palestinian stances, adding that the Foreign Ministry — through the Jordanian embassy in Tel Aviv — tried to convince Israelis to allow him entry but to no avail. 

"Jordan and Israel have a signed peace treaty and as an MP I should be allowed to enter the West Bank anytime without hurdles," he said, asking sarcastically "what kind of peace treaties does the government here keep talking about?"

The lawmaker noted that Israel has also denied entry to some members of the Jordanian delegation, which consisted of tribal leaders from across Jordan.

"Some were allowed to cross into the West Bank and some others were banned," he said.

AMMAN — Five people died and 11 others were injured on Wednesday in various incidents across the Kingdom, the Civil Defence Department (CDD) said.

In Mafraq, two young men died and two people were injured when their car overturned. CDD cadres administered first aid to the injured and took them to Mafraq Hospital, where they were listed in critical condition.  

In another road accident, two people died when their truck overturned and hit a utility pole on the Amman-Dead Sea road. 

In a separate accident, a man died when he was hit by a car south of Amman, the CDD said. 

Meanwhile, two people were injured in a four-vehicle pileup in Irbid, some 80km north of Amman.

CDD personnel administered first aid and took them to Princess Basma Educational Hospital, where they were listed in fair condition. 

In Zarqa, a bulldozer overturned and crushed eight vehicles, injuring four people.

CDD personnel administered first aid and took the four to Prince Feisal Hospital, were their condition was reported as fair.

Also in Zarqa, some 22km east of Amman, CDD firefighters extinguished a blaze in a third-floor apartment at a four-storey building.

Three people suffered shortness of breath and were taken to Zarqa Hospital, according to the CDD.

AMMAN — The visit of UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, along with World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim to Jordan earlier this week underscores the UN's support for the Kingdom amidst the current regional turmoil, Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour said late Tuesday.

Speaking at an event organised by the UNDP to celebrate 50 years of its work globally and 40 years in Jordan, Ensour said that the visit also shows commitment of the two institutions to continue supporting the Kingdom either directly or through working with the international community for that purpose.

During the Sunday visit, Kim announced a $100 million interest-free loan to Jordan to provide job opportunities for 100,000 Jordanians and Syrians, while Ban underscored the importance of peace and stability in the region, as it has implications on the entire world.

The UN’s 17 agencies working in Jordan and their teams have provided much to the Kingdom through partnerships with the government, the premier said, adding that the UNDP was one of these agencies and “is considered a main partner to the government in its development process since 1976”.

The UNDP's contribution is evident through funding and implementing several projects and initiatives in all sectors, Ensour noted, adding that these prominent projects include poverty reduction, the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals and strengthening democratic governance.

He expressed the government’s interest in strengthening collaboration with the UN agency to counter the different challenges caused by regional developments and to support Jordan in implementing its national priorities.

In addition, he highlighted the need of working together with the Kingdom in implementing results of the London donor conference.

Meanwhile, Edward Kallon, the UN resident and humanitarian coordinator in Jordan, stressed that the UNDP will continue to lead efforts to respond to the development needs of the Kingdom.

Addressing the audience, he said the UN agency will prioritise several fields of support in the next 15 years to integrate the Sustainable Development Goals into national development plans and put in place structures to help coordinate multi-sectoral initiatives that cut across different ministerial mandates.

In addition, Kallon added that the agency will continue to support Jordan to improve governance, rule of law and women empowerment. 

The UNDP will also assist the Kingdom in attracting and managing development finance from vertical funds and international financial institutions to allow the growth of a dynamic private sector.

For her part, UNDP Country Director Zena Ali Ahmad said the agency will focus in the upcoming years on supporting the implementation of the international development agenda that succeeded the Millennium Development Goals, and integrate it into national plans and development strategies.

Over the past 40 years, UNDP has implemented up to 300 projects in different development fields in Jordan, according to Ahmad.

AMMAN — Her Majesty Queen Rania explored on Wednesday the venue where Amman Design Week will be held in downtown Amman in September.

Supported by the Queen, Amman Design Week is an annual event that brings together local, regional, and international designers to showcase their latest work, share ideas, and promote design and innovation, according to a statement from Her Majesty's office.

Event co-directors Abeer Seikaly and Rana Beiruti briefed Her Majesty on the planned project’s progress. 

Seikaly said the event aims to capitalise on Amman’s diverse demographics to build a citywide platform based on forward design thinking and innovation, as key components of Jordanian society and economy.

Seikaly added that the week-long event will feature a series of engaging activities that will host keynote speakers and interactive workshops to highlight the importance of design in everyday life.

Beiruti explained that downtown Amman was chosen as a venue for the event because it combines heritage and modernity. 

She added that at the same time, the area is in need of creative design ideas that can improve the functionality of its public spaces. 

The event’s various activities will be held at Ras Al Ain Gallery, the Greater Amman Municipality (GAM) gardens, the Jordan Museum, the old city commercial district, and the Raghadan bus terminal.

At Ras Al Ain Gallery, Her Majesty met with Amman Mayor Aqel Biltaji and seven young Jordanian urban designers and architects who have volunteered to carry out urban planning research for the city of Amman.

The designers told Her Majesty they are working with GAM on research that produces fresh ideas to revive the area and improve its public spaces.

Part of Amman Design Week will be dedicated to reimagining downtown Amman by carrying out experiments in urban design in order to boost the area’s liveability and promote it as a cultural hub.

Amman Design Week curator and exhibition designer architect Sahel Hiyari briefed the Queen on his ideas for transforming the space at the gallery into the main exhibition hall, and the potential for the first design event of its kind to take place in Jordan.

Hiyari explained that the event will include works from all design fields including architecture, furniture, fashion, crafts, graphic and digital design by carefully chosen and highly original designers.

Her Majesty then walked to the Jordan Museum through the GAM garden, where she was briefed on suggested plans for upgrading the space there.

Amman Design Week will also work to establish the capital as a potential hub for exchanging local and global designs, and provide an opportunity for networking among the design community, the statement said. 

AMMAN — In celebration of Land Day, three local artists on Wednesday showcased their work to express solidarity with and celebrate Palestinian resistance over the years.

In an exhibition held at the University of Jordan’s (UJ) deanship of student affairs, the artists shared their paintings on the ongoing Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

Visual Artist Raed Qatnani, who has been practising art for more than 35 years, said the celebration of Land Day is “symbolic” and that land should be celebrated on a daily basis.

“Palestine and Al Aqsa should be remembered every day. It is a humanitarian duty for people of all walks of life,” he said.

Land Day commemorates the events of March 30, 1976 when a general strike and marches were organised in Arab towns from the Galilee to the Negev after the Israeli government announced a plan to expropriate thousands of dunums of Palestinian land.

As an Arab artist, Qatnani believes art is a way to “deliver a message” and to “keep the memory of the land alive”.

“Not everyone has the time to attend lectures and to have political awareness. Paintings leave a quick impression in the minds of the viewers,” the artist told The Jordan Times. 

Artist Ibrahim Ali said his work acquired a Palestinian identity over the years, as the conflict between Palestinians and “the settlers” grew.

“The Palestinian cause is the basis of justice on Earth; those who believe in this cause believe in global justice,” he told The Jordan Times.

Ali is known for his ink technique and political collages, depicting the struggle of Palestinians.

“In my paintings, I try to focus more on how Palestinians are arrested and their freedom is restricted at all levels,” he said.

When the 2014 Israeli aggression on Gaza started, the artist felt the need to document the lives of Palestinians under siege. 

“I used to adopt the arrest of Palestinians as my theme. But then I realised, as the aggression started, that people are experiencing death up-close. My work is more of a documentation of the Palestinian experience,” Ali told The Jordan Times. 

He added that the Palestinian struggle is a “sensitive case” and artists have to be careful when tackling it so as not to commercialise it.

For Lateef Fityani, a cartoonist, being a student at UNRWA schools for Palestinian refugees in Jordan was a constant reminder of the displacement of Palestinians.

“It is your choice to use your talent in whichever way you prefer to serve the cause you are fighting for,” he said.

“As a Palestinian refugee, you are supposed to utilise what you own in order to deliver your message… if you have an artistic talent and you have a cause, start raising awareness,” Fityani told The Jordan Times.

“They [Israelis] previously assumed that when the older generation dies, the younger generation will forget about Palestine. We have to always remember our land and never forget where we came from,” the artist assered.

“Through art you say: I am a Jordanian from Jerusalem — this is what you stand for, a stolen land and a cause that will never die.”

Commenting on the exhibition, which continues through Monday, Sami Eteilat, from UJ's cultural activities office, said images speak louder than other means.

“Art is a universal language… Some people don’t spend much time reading the news. The world is a village; images depict reality,” he said.

AMMAN – The government is working to release Jordanian students detained in Sudan over leaked secondary school national exam papers, an informed source said Wednesday. 

So far, the government has managed to secure the release of four students out of the 25 detained by the Sudanese authorities, the Cabinet source told The Jordan Times on condition of anonymity. 

"Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour has issued directives to form a committee to follow up on the issue and ensure a speedy release of the detained students," the source added.

He noted that the government is also contacting the students' parents here in Jordan to comfort them. 

"We are assuring them that their children will be out soon," added the source.

MP Mustafa Rawashdeh, who was on a visit to Sudan last week along with MP Nayef Leimoun to follow up on the issue, confirmed to The Jordan Times that 21 Jordanians are still detained in Sudan.

"We were promised that the students will be released on Sunday but they are still behind bars," Rawashdeh added.

He noted that the "crime these students committed does not require all this time in prison".

"We are still doing all we can to release the students in question," the lawmaker added.

The exam leak incident prompted the Education Ministry to announce that secondary school certificates from Sudan will not be officially accredited in Jordan.

Rawashdeh said the ministry has not revisited this decision so far although the embassy in Khartoum has called for reconsidering it, citing a large Jordanian community in the North African country.

Jordanian students in Sudan have been observing an open-ended strike outside the Kingdom's embassy in Khartoum to demand a review of the decision.

More than 700 Jordanians have flown to Sudan to complete the General Secondary Education Certificate Examination (Tawjihi), believing that the exams are easier abroad.

In previous remarks, Abdullah Sarayreh, one of the students in Sudan noted that he made the decision to apply for high school in Sudan after consulting the ministry. 

The 20-year-old student is among those who decided to travel to Sudan to obtain their certificates there after failing to pass the Tawjihi back home.

Sarayreh noted that the “difficult” curricula in Sudan prompted the majority of Jordanians to switch to the Libyan system, which comes in a multiple-choice format.

The paper leak incident involved Jordanian students enrolled in the Sudanese system, he said.

AMMAN — The Jordan Enterprise Development Corporation (JEDCO) on Wednesday announced the start of a tour around the Kingdom for companies that benefit from the corporation's EU funded grants to conduct projects.

The tour focuses on success stories achieved through economic projects benefiting from European grants, and is aimed at spreading awareness on the means and conditions to benefit from the Governorates Development Fund and other corporation programmes like "Accelerate with JEDCO" for speeding up the growth of economic projects.

The tour is scheduled to begin in Amman, where companies that benefit from the grants will speak of the results they achieved and the obstacles they faced, according to a JEDCO statement.

Afterwards, on April 3, the tour will resume in Aqaba and continue throughout the month in Maan, Petra, Tafileh, Karak, Irbid, Jerash, Ajloun, Mafraq and Balqa, concluding in Madaba and Zarqa in early May.

The tour aims at bridging the gap between the corporation and business entrepreneurs to identify their needs and answer their questions through direct interaction, JEDCO CEO Hana Uraidi said in the statement.

She highlighted the importance of the development role played by small- and medium-sized enterprises, which contribute to the growth of local production, enhancing exports and providing jobs.

For his part, EU Ambassador to Jordan Andrea Matteo Fontana said the EU wishes to support Jordan further to be economically flexible and more stable in the Middle East.

AMMAN — Police arrested a suspect on Wednesday in connection with the stabbing death of a 22-year-old man in Ruseifa a day earlier, official sources said.
The victim, who was not identified, was stabbed once in the chest and rushed to Prince Feisal Hospital, a senior official source said.
"The victim died shortly after being admitted to hospital from a single stab wound to the chest," the official source told The Jordan Times.
Initial investigations indicated that the two were fighting over financial problems, the source added.
The suspect reportedly pulled a knife on the victim, stabbing him once in the chest and fleeing the scene, the source said, adding that he was arrested by police shortly afterwards.
The suspect is currently in police custody awaiting arraignment by a Criminal Court prosecutor, the source said.
Also Wednesday, a woman who was in her 50s was found stabbed to death in her home at a building on the 7th Circle in Amman, a senior judicial source said.
Officials refused to release any further details regarding the murder of the woman, citing a gag order by Amman Attorney General Akram Masadeh that prevents investigators from releasing any information related to the murder.
Public Security Department Spokesperson Lt. Col. Amer Sartawi was not available all day to comment on both incidents.