Classes for the Amala High School Diploma begin in Amman, Jordan

Jun 16

“I applied to this programme because I did not get an opportunity to finish my high school. When I left Syria, I was studying for my final exams - but when I came to Jordan, I was not able to join a local school because I had to work to support my brother who has been ill. This is my opportunity - I have been waiting for this!” - Mohammad, one of our selected Amala High School Diploma students.

We are delighted to welcome our first cohort of students to the Amala High School Diploma, the first international high school diploma programme that is tailored to young refugees and their host communities. It has taken us three years of planning, creating and collaborating with a worldwide team, including 150 educators and refugee learners, to bring this diploma programme to displaced youth who have missed out on a secondary education in Amman, Jordan. We have selected a remarkable group of students from Syria, Somalia, Sudan, Eritrea, Jordan and Iraq to form the first cohort. This week, students are taking part in induction sessions with facilitators, in preparation for the start of the course next week.

The Amala High School Diploma has been developed in order to enable refugees who are out of school and who have been unable to access national education systems in their countries, to access high quality learning and finish their secondary education. It is a clear that there is a desire for such programmes, as Ahmedsadak, one of our selected students, said, “For four years I have been waiting for an opportunity like this!”

During the application and interview stages we were impressed by the avidity in our applicants’ commitment to learning despite what life has thrown them, and their ambitions to lead positive lives for themselves, and their communities. “It’s been hard for me to get back to school and finally get my high school degree. However, with Amala’s online and part time approach, my goal of finally getting a high school diploma will be easily achievable. That will finally set me on the path I’m meant to be on,” said Shahed, another student set to start the programme.

The Amala High School Diploma is a 15 month, accelerated learning programme, designed to be flexible to fit around the many barriers refugee youth face in accessing education. Given the current COVID-19 situation, the curriculum has been adapted to ensure that all learning can begin online on a part-time basis until it is safe to have in person, class sessions led by facilitators. The Diploma is a modular programme, which offers both breadth and depth in five key areas: 1. Social Innovation, 2. Peacebuilding. 3. People and Societies, 4. Literacies, Arts and Cultures, 5. Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. On top of the learning programme, the Diploma also includes guidance counselling, to support students to identify pathways for higher education, entrepreneurship, employment, or whatever their ambitions might be beyond their study with Amala. Tarikh, for example, expressed his goals for the future during his interview, saying, “I believe that I could thrive as a leader if given the chance.” Mobarak, another selected student, hopes Amala will set him on a path to become a social worker so that he can support others - “like the people who have helped [him]”.

Our students will have their first online classes next week, starting with the first two modules, Social Entrepreneurship and Ethical Leadership. They will graduate in September 2021 after completing the remaining eight courses. The Amala High School Diploma will also be launching in Kakuma, Kenya later this year, where we have been running short courses since 2017. A second cohort of students in Jordan is also likely to start in September.

So, without further adieu, meet our pioneering class of the Amala High School Diploma: