First Playkit training in Palestine

After many months of planning – and some setbacks due to the challenging security situation – Seenaryo’s Playkit trainers finally made it to Ramallah in August to run our first ever Playkit trainings in Palestine. 

Movement has long been restricted for Palestinians in the West Bank, but since October 2023 it has become increasingly difficult to travel. A journey that once took 20 minutes, can now take up to three hours. Despite these restrictions, 52 teachers made the journey from neighbouring towns and cities to learn to transform their classrooms through play.

Reflecting on the power of play in the classroom, teacher Samiya told us after the training: “When we used to lecture, the children would try to memorise [the information], however one child might be able to do it and ten wouldn’t. Using play, everyone can be involved and everyone helps everyone.”

Since the training, violence has flared across the West Bank, with the Israeli army leading an incursion in Jenin, where they have reportedly ‘annihilated’ 70% of the city. The increasing violence is having a profound impact on the mental health of the younger generation. Ahmad is a teacher in Jenin who took the Playkit training, he told us: “Because of the times we’re going through in Palestine – times of war – young children in particular are being psychologically impacted.”

In light of the ever-changing situation, we are more determined than ever to bring play to classrooms across the region. 

Meet the teachers

  • ISHRAQ

    “Seenaryo gave me a lot of creative ideas about how to manage a classroom. Unique games. All these games suit this new generation that likes to move, play and interact, not just sit in a chair.”

  • AYA

    “These activities revitalised our teaching skills – there’s a lot that caught my attention.  We need to manage behaviour in a nice way and this was something [that the training] really supported us with, as well as how to convey information gently and interestingly.”

  • ROLA

    “Children are living in the reality of war and they see everything just like us. They watch breaking news at home and are influenced by their parents. So, our role [as teachers] is to create a safe space away from that for this child.”