The implementation of the Taawon STEM Enabled School Program is now in full swing, bringing a fresh boost to STEM education across 18 primary schools in Palestine. Launched in February 2025, the program is the result of a partnership between Taawon, the Omnia Education Partnerships (OEP) in Finland, and the Palestinian Ministry of Education, with the support of the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development.
The program is built on a tailored, research-informed model that fosters innovation, collaboration, and sustainability in primary education. It equips educators and school leaders with the knowledge, tools, and pedagogical strategies needed to develop inclusive, dynamic science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) learning environments.
Since its launch, the program has reached several milestones:
- The formal launch event brought together school communities, Taawon representatives, and national stakeholders to align goals and expectations.
- The first series of professional development workshops for school leaders and teachers who are pioneering STEM was completed. The series focused on instructional leadership, integrating pedagogy, and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration.
- The project collaborated with the national STEAM team of the Ministry of Education to ensure that the program aligns with Palestinian education policies and contributes to the development of education at all levels of administration.
The program is grounded in a well-structured professional learning pathway developed by OEP and Taawon. This pathway guides participants through modules that are aligned with the EU-recognized Specialist Vocational Qualifications, which have been accredited by the Finnish National Agency for Education. These qualifications set a solid benchmark for excellence in teaching and leadership within STEM education.
The Taawon STEM Enabled School Program draws on Finnish education expertise and OEP’s international experience to pilot a scalable model for holistic and integrated STEM education in Palestine. The program employs capacity building, modifications to the learning environment, and international exchange through a study visit to Finland, to lay the foundation for long-term educational impact.
Additionally, this initiative works hand-in-hand with existing Palestinian education programs like SERATAC and aligns with the broader strategic goals of the Palestinian education sector—specifically, enhancing learning outcomes, encouraging innovation, and fostering inclusivity in education.
As the program continues to roll out during 2025, selected schools will take on the role of regional centers of pedagogical innovation, creating a ripple effect throughout the educational landscape. With this integrated and collaborative approach, the program aims to make a significant contribution to the long-term advancement of STEM education in Palestine, nurturing a new generation of critical thinkers, problem-solvers, and innovators.