The multi-year program includes curriculum and national standards development and capacity building for preschool educators; mentoring programs for teachers in coordination with West Bank universities and upgrading infrastructure at selected preschools as quality preschools for practice training of teacher trainees in the West Bank.

"We are proud to be an integral part of this effort to assemble a national strategy for early childhood education and appreciate the confidence bestowed upon us by the Ministry of Education," said ANERA president Bill Corcoran. "This project underscores ANERA's long-time commitment to improving educational opportunities for Palestinian youth, which will provide the building blocks for a better future."

As Education Program Manager, Mleahat will supervise all of ANERA's education program work in the West Bank.  He has more than a decade of experience in managing and designing education programs. Before joining ANERA, he managed education programs in the West Bank for Save the Children UK and designed children's education and development projects for both the Children's Society and the World University Service in London, England.   Mleahat received his BA in International Development from the University of East Anglia and his MSc in Development from the University of Bristol.

Sulaima Abu-El-Haj has been named Early Childhood Education Program Coordinator and is responsible for implementing the program with selected preschools, including teacher training, rehabilitation of schools and supply of needed materials. Abu El-Haj has a long history of experience with preschool education in the West Bank.  Before joining ANERA, she worked with the Early Childhood Resource Center, developing, coordinating and supervising preschool teacher training across the West Bank.  She also provided technical support for research projects on early childhood education in the Occupied Palestinian Territories and later was a project coordinator for Save the Children UK. Abu-El-Haj earned a BA from the American College in Jerusalem and diplomas in counselling and teacher training from University of California and Michigan's High Scope Educational Institute.

The Early Childhood Education project has been endorsed by the Palestinian Ministry of Education and will be developed in cooperation with the ministry and local NGOs to encourage community involvement in childhood education.