FCA and Palestinian Ministry of Education and Higher Education sign partnership agreement to support education in Palestine
Finn Church Aid (FCA) and the Palestinian Ministry of Education and Higher Education in State of Palestine have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening cooperation and expanding educational opportunities for children and young people across Palestine. The agreement was signed during a ceremony held in Amman, Jordan, in the presence of representatives from partner organizations, development actors, and education stakeholders.
Amman, Jordan | 13 August 2026
The new partnership between FCA and the Palestinian Ministry of Education and Higher Education establishes a framework for cooperation in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and Gaza, focusing on improving access to quality, inclusive, and resilient education. The agreement reflects the shared commitment of FCA and the Ministry to support learners, teachers, and communities facing the challenges created by ongoing crises and instability.
Under the Memorandum of Understanding, the two parties will collaborate in several priority areas, including education in emergencies (EiE), rehabilitation and development of educational infrastructure, technical and vocational education and training (TVET), digital transformation in education, psychosocial support, child protection, and capacity building for educational staff and institutions. The partnership will also support initiatives that promote inclusive education and improve access to learning opportunities for children with disabilities.
The agreement highlights the importance of ensuring continuity of learning for children affected by emergencies while strengthening the ability of educational institutions to respond to current and future challenges. It also seeks to equip young people with relevant skills, encourage innovation, and facilitate smoother transitions from education to employment.
“We highly value our partnership with the Palestinian Ministry of Education and Higher Education and remain committed to supporting the right to quality education. Through this agreement, FCA will continue working to expand access to safe, inclusive, and equitable learning opportunities for all children and young people. We are particularly committed to supporting the most vulnerable learners, including children and students with disabilities, to ensure that no one is left behind in education”, Mazen Khzouz, FCA Middle East Regional Director said.
FCA has a long history of supporting education globally and in Palestine, working alongside government institutions, communities, and development partners to advance the right to quality education and create safer and more inclusive learning environments. Through this new agreement, FCA and the Ministry aim to deepen their collaboration and maximize the impact of future education programmes.
“We appreciate FCA’s continued support to the education sector and its contribution to strengthening learning opportunities for children and young people in Palestine. It is important that education support is directed towards national priorities and aligned with the Ministry’s plans, particularly Education for Development, which serves as a roadmap for advancing and modernizing the education sector. Strengthening partnerships in these areas will help ensure a more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable future for education”, said Dr. Amjad Barham, Minister of Education and Higher Education of the State of Palestine.
Attendees at the signing ceremony welcomed the agreement as an important step towards strengthening partnerships that contribute to the development of the education sector and support the well-being and future prospects of Palestinian children and youth.
The Memorandum of Understanding will remain in effect for an initial period of two years and provides a platform for continued coordination, joint planning, and implementation of programmes aligned with national education priorities.
Memorandum signed while conditions in the West Bank deteriorate
The memorandum was signed amidst generally deteriorating conditions in the West Bank during the last month This has strained the ability of FCA and our partners to safely reach the communities we serve.
Two compounding crises are driving this decline: a worsening security environment and a severe fuel crisis worsened by the war between Iran, the USA and Israel.
Increased military activity, settler violence, and newly established checkpoints have made the operating environment highly unpredictable. Access to project sites, schools, and vulnerable communities has been disrupted, raising safety risks for staff, partners and beneficiaries.
Prolonged queues, supply rationing, and sharply rising prices continue to constrain mobility across the region. Availability fluctuates, there are periods when fuel can be found, but prices have climbed dramatically, delaying field monitoring missions and coordination meetings while driving up operational costs.
Despite these constraints, FCA and its partners are working to sustain program continuity without compromising our duty of care. Current measures include prioritizing critical activities and consolidating travel to conserve fuel and reduce risk; shifting to remote coordination wherever feasible; and maintaining continuous monitoring of the security situation to inform real-time adjustments to field operations.
As Palestine continues to face complex educational challenges, FCA and the Ministry reaffirm their commitment to working together to ensure that all children and young people have access to safe, inclusive, and quality learning opportunities, regardless of their circumstances.