Hanan Al-Hroub, World’s Best Teacher from Palestine Replaces Guns with Games
Santiago, 28 Syawwal 1437/ 2 August 2016 (MINA) – The zeal to help children overcome traumatic experiences led Hanan Al Hroub to get interested in education.
This year the Palestinian received the Global Teacher Prize and says she’s ready to win with her classes a “future of peace” for a world in flames.
The teaching method used by Hroub, who grew up in a refugee camp in Dheisheh south of the West Bank city of Bethlehem, promotes education in non-violence through games that promote the resolution of conflicts and the easing of tension.
“Violence in Palestine is part of everyday life and that deeply affects children. They absorb everything they see in the streets and become violent and distrustful,” Hroub told in Latino Foxnews, Sunday (31 July), an interview EFE in Santiago, Chile, where she is on a visit to share her experiences with academics and authorities.
Her relationship with education began 16 years ago during the Second Intifada, when one day, as they were getting out of school, her children witnessed some Israeli soldiers shooting at their father.
“That was very hard for them. They saw how the soldiers laughed after shooting him. From that day on, our house was hell. The kids wouldn’t go outside and they cried and screamed all night. They even isolated themselves from each other…it was then I said to myself, “Hanan, you’ve got to do something.”
Hroub decided to being inventing games that would give them back their lost confidence and would encourage them invite almost all the kids in the neighborhood to come play in their house.
Little by little the negative behavior of her children began to change, their self-esteem improved and, finally, they were able to go back to school.
“After helping my kids I thought I could help other children that had gone through similar experiences. Teachers aren’t ready for this kind of situations, so I decided to study elementary education,” she said.
“The most important thing is that games make children relax and they begin to feel more comfortable and secure in class. This feeling of safety is soon reflected in their behavior. In just a little time the children are more affectionate and less violent,” she said. (T/P4/R07)
Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)
