The program will be implemented through the “Neighborhood after School Program – NASP”by which Education Program targets the student with low academic achievement in 3rd, 4th, and 5th grades through providing remedial classes in Arabic, English and Math. Furthermore, the program focuses also on improving the psychosocial wellbeing of the targeted children by proving psychosocial support sessions with the aim of enhancing their ability to overcome academic challenges resulting from prolonged stressors.
This program will also focus on increasing parental involvement in children’s education at home by engaging enrolled children’s mothers. This component will increase the sustainability and reach of the program as mothers will not only work with their child in the NASP center but also other children in the home. Mothers will attend sessions on topics including teaching methods for children at home, creating suitable study environments, psychosocial support, and children’s health and nutrition.
In this year of Education Program, Mercy Corps will target about 960 students and about 716 mothers in NASP program in Khan Younis and Rafah Governorate during two semesters of the current scholastic year of 2015–2016.
Mercy Corps will implement the NASP program through partnership with four local education focused community based organizations (CBOs) in Rafah and Khan Younis Governorates. Each of the two NASP semesters will include the following activities: tutoring sessions for children, psychosocial support sessions, mother’ssessions, academic competition called “NASP Factor”, away days/open days as social outlets, and other activities.
