Jordan's Queen Rania checks on progress of teachers academy

Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah checked today on the progress of Queen Rania Teacher Academy (QRTA) training programs in the north of Jordan, which are carried out in partnership with the Ministry of Education in a number of public schools and aim to upgrade teachers’ skills. At Ibbin Ibllin Secondary School for Girls in Ajloun Governorate, Queen Rania met with teachers, principals and supervisors from the North who started taking courses with QRTA last year. Her Majesty also visited the Teachers’ Club in Ajloun where she attended part of QRTA’s Leadership Network workshop. At the secondary school meeting, the trainees explained how they have developed their teaching skills which created better interaction with their students. The meeting was also attended by QRTA CEO Haif Banayan and School Principal Abla Al Rabab’a, and moderated by Eman Al-Eiteiwi from QRTA. Queen Rania stressed the importance of teachers' continuous learning, as well as sharing their knowledge and acquired skills with as many schools as possible. Her Majesty launched QRTA in 2009 in partnership with Columbia University to promote excellence in teachers' education in Jordan and throughout the region. Banayan spoke about QRTA's achievements in the northern governorates and explained that it has commenced its programs there in early 2012 and shall continue until the end of 2014. By then, QRTA will have trained 531 principals, supervisors and teachers from 92 schools in Irbid, Jarash, Mafraq and Ajloun. These programs cover the subjects of science, math and English. Banayan added that QRTA is developing its scope of work to reach more teachers. He also talked about one of its upcoming projects, "the Arabic Network", which they plan to launch soon. Since its establishment, QRTA has reached public schools in Amman, Zarqa, Ruseifeh, Salt, Ein Al-Basha, Madaba, Karak, Tafileh, and Aqaba and late last year started working in northern governorates. To date, a total of 7695 educators have benefited from QRTA's programs. One teacher said that QRTA's programs are very useful because not only they include training, but also practice and application followed by feedback sessions. Her Majesty also attended part of an English class given by a teacher who received training from QRTA where she demonstrated one writing technique she acquired. This was followed by a feedback session, moderated by Taraf Ghanem from QRTA, in which four English teachers commented on the performance of the teacher who gave the class. These sessions are an essential part of QRTA trainings as it helps teachers identify their strengths and weaknesses. Queen Rania then stopped by a classroom where she greeted the students and listened to them talk about how their teachers' new skills effected their learning process. She also passed by the teachers' room on her way out. Her Majesty's next stop in Ajloun was at the Teachers’ Club where she attended part of QRTA's Leadership Network workshop, which was conducted in partnership with Teachers’ College- Columbia University, and grouped 40 principles and supervisors from Ajloun Governorate schools. Deputy CEO of QRTA Hania Barqawi told Her Majesty that this network helps educators apply new teaching methods and create a better learning environment that focuses on the quality of education. It will also empower them to be able to provide constructive feedback to other teachers in the field. Queen Rania thanked all educators for their efforts and determination to improve their skills which they will apply in their schools, adding that they play the most important role in improving the teaching- learning process. Her Majesty expressed her appreciation for the efforts of the principals and supervisors, emphasizing the importance of their key role in the process to change the teaching and learning process. Addressing the workshop participants, Her Majesty said:"Your engagement in the training is testimony to your interest in upgrading your skills to reach excellence in education and to benefit from modern methods and implementing them in your schools." She added that school management and administration is not just ensuring compliance with regulations and instructions, but the ability to motivate teachers to broaden their horizons and paving the way for them for creativity and initiative. Queen Rania then toured the Teachers Club and checked on its facilities. She also listened to a brief by Bassam Momani, Director of the club, about the different activities it offers.