More than 160 persons of all sectors of society: religious and lay, school principals, teachers, academicians from different areas in Palestine attended this study day which focused on the Palestinian curricula and its contribution to shared living.
The program included welcoming remarks on shared living by Sawsan Bitar, coordinator of Shared Living programs, Dr. Geries S. Khoury, Mrs. Hind Khoury and Archbishop Atallah Hanna.
In the first session which was moderated by Mrs Sima Al-Ghawali, Dr. Walid Mustafa presented a power point presentation about history books used, 6th to 12th grades. The response was made by Dr. Adnan Musallam.
In the second session which was moderated by Dr. Iman Sacca, Prof. Qustandi Shomali presented an examination of the Arabic language books used by school. Dr. ‘Abd Al-Rahman ‘Abbad responded.
In the third Session which was moderated by Mrs Haneen bu Sa’da, Sister Virgini Habib presented a Study of school books dealing with Christian education. Sheikh Maher ‘Assaf presented a reading in Islamic education books.
At the conclusion of the study day, recommendations were put forth:
· All those attending the Study Day recommended more study days but with more details and in-depth study of the curricula. Alternatives should be given by specialists in order to deepen the foundation of shared living, national unity and shared history.
· The Minister of Education should be invited to such an event in order to listen to suggestions and recommendations.
· All must be asked to stop theorizing and focus on work. We ask the Palestinian National Authority to prove its worth in society in order to preserve the rights and dignity of all citizens.
· Texts that accuse others of unbelief should be discarded. Instead, the focus should be on the dignity and freedom of all.
· Demand to allocate one class period in all schools each week to stress the importance of shared living, knowing each other, ethical and moral norms and religious beliefs.