Church Leaders and Education Ministry Officials Tour Haifa's Christian Schools

A high-level delegation of church leaders and senior officials from the Ministry of Education visited several Christian schools in Haifa on Monday, September 26th. The visit was initiated by the inspection department for Christian schools and included a group of priests, monks, nuns, and pastors, alongside ministry inspectors and educational counselors.

The delegation featured prominent church figures such as Archbishop Youssef Matta of the Melkite Greek Catholic Church, Bishop Hossam Naoum of the Episcopal Church in Jerusalem and the Middle East, Bishop Macarius of the Greek Orthodox Church of Acre, Bishop Rafic Nahra, Patriarchal Vicar for the Latin Patriarchate in Israel, and Father Francesco Patton, Custos of the Holy Land. Ministry representatives included Shireen Natour Hafi, Director of the Arab Community Education Department, Dr. Amira Hayoun, Inspector of Primary Education in the Arab Community, and Hanin Azam, Inspector of Post-Primary Education in the Arab Community, along with numerous subject inspectors.

The tour began at Carmel School, proceeded to Trinitas School (formerly Carmelite School), then to St. John's School (Saint Luke's), and finally to the Sisters of Nazareth School. The tour concluded at the Arab Orthodox College. During the visits, school principals presented their institutions' educational vision, emphasizing academic excellence, human values, fostering belonging, openness to others, and embracing diversity, alongside a focus on languages, sciences, and technology.

School leaders also highlighted key challenges and needs, particularly the requirement for adequate resources and budgets to ensure the continuity of educational work. This visit is considered significant as it brought together church leaders and the leadership of Arab education within the Ministry of Education for a direct, on-site interaction within the schools, moving beyond formal meetings. It provided participants with a close look at daily school life and educational initiatives, fostering partnership and dialogue between Christian institutions and the Ministry to benefit students and strengthen the standing of these schools.

The event concluded with thanks from Deacon Jiries Mansour, Inspector of Christian Schools, to the host institutions, their staff, and students, as well as to the accompanying inspectors and members of the General Secretariat. Mr. Cesar Marjiyeh, Director of the Christian Communities Affairs Department at the Ministry of Interior, was also thanked for his participation and support.