Education

Hanan Al Hroub, from Samiha Khalil High School, Al-Bireh, Palestine, has been granted the Varkey Foundation Global Teacher Prize 2016, awarded under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai.

Reported via an unique video message broadcast into the Global Teacher Prize ceremony happening at the Global Education and Skills Forum (GESF) 2016 in Dubai - His Holiness Pope Francis stated:

"I wish to praise the teacher Hanan Al Hroub for winning this prominent prize due to the importance that she offered to the 'playing' part in the education of the children.

"A child can play. Part of education is to teach kids ways to play due to the fact that you learn ways to be social through games in addition to learn the happiness of life.

"A population that is not well educated because of the wars, or by other factors that exist in order not to obtain any education, is a population that rots. That is why I would like to highlight the noble profession of a teacher".

Now in its 2nd year, the US$ 1 million award is the biggest prize of its kind.

The Global Teacher Prize was set up to recognize one exceptional teacher who has actually made an outstanding contribution to the career as well as to shine a spotlight on the essential function teachers play in society. By unearthing thousands of stories of heroes that have transformed youths's lives, the prize intends to bring to life the remarkable work of countless instructors all over the world.

Hanan Al Hroub grew in the Palestinian refugee camp, Bethlehem, where she was frequently exposed to acts of violence. She went into primary education after her kids were left deeply traumatised by a shooting event they saw on their way home from school. Her experiences in conferences and consultations to discuss her children's behaviour, advancement and scholastic efficiency in the years that followed led Hanan to attempt to assist others who, having grown up in similar circumstances, require special handling at school.

With so many distressed children in the region, Palestinian class can be tense environments. Hanan welcomes the slogan 'No to Violence' and uses an expert method she developed herself, detailed in her book, 'We Play and Learn'. She priorities on developing trusting, respectful, honest and caring relationships with her students and stresses the importance of literacy. She motivates her students to work together, pays attention to individual requirements and rewards positive behaviour.

Her approach has caused a decline in violent behaviour in schools where this is normally a regular event; she has actually motivated her associates to review the way they teach, their classroom management methods and the sanctions they utilize.

Hanan has shared her viewpoint at conferences, meetings and teacher training workshops. She really hopes that, with education, there can be an elimination of violence entirely.

Speaking after the being presented the prize by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai, and Sunny Varkey, Founder of the Varkey Foundation, Hanan Al Hroub said:

"I am proud to be a Palestinian female teacher standing on this phase. I accept this as a win for all teachers in general and Palestinian teachers in particular.

"Each day, the function of the teacher is strengthened and its value is confirmed as the world questions what future we want for our kids.

"Yes, we can assist our children investigate this world and understand it, which helps them to be integrated within it. We can teach children to be efficient and inventive through numerous contexts that include entertainment, drawing and movement. We need to assist children with questioning, discussion, thinking and feeling to assist them reveal themselves.

"We, as instructors can develop the values and morals of young minds to make sure a fair world, a more stunning world and a more free world.

"The future appears far and ambiguous, nevertheless, when you are involved in making it, the world represents a light".

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