Latin Patriarchate Schools - Palestine
History and background
The Latin Patriarchate Schools began their educational mission in Palestine since the very establishment of the Latin Patriarchate in Jerusalem, in 1847. At that time, these schools were called “pastoral schools”, as they were affiliated with the parishes and the Church. Today, they are supervised by the General Administration of Schools in Palestine, and include 6,000 male and female students, spread in 13 schools and kindergartens. 11 schools are in the West Bank (Zababdeh, Nablus, Ramallah, Aboud, Taybeh, Jifna, Birzeit, Ain Arik, Beit Jala, Beit Sahour and Jenin), and two schools are in Gaza: one at the Holy Family parish and one called the Gaza Latin School. These schools have more than 500 male and female teachers, and more than 250 male and female students graduate from it annually.
Since their creation, the LPJ schools in Palestine have welcomed students from all walks of life, providing them with a solid foundation in religious, moral and intellectual education. Being parish schools, they work for human and social development with a focus on families in need. Improving schools in villages helps reduce migration to cities and to other countries, and promote ecumenical experiences and interfaith dialogue. It is difficult to see today a vibrant parish in the Holy Land without a school.
The Latin Patriarchate believes that access to quality education should be within the reach of all, regardless of status or family income. It also subsidizes education costs for needy students and maintains schools in marginalized areas. Its schools are considered as non-profit schools, as they operate at great financial loss. The school fees are the lowest among private and other Christian schools, making them affordable for all; they also provide programs for the poorest students, who either receive discounts or are exempted entirely. Note that this deficit is generously paid by the Knights and Dames of the Holy Sepulcher.
Throughout their long journey, the Latin Patriarchate Schools were distinguished by their qualitative and unique experience, which helped them contribute actively to the upbringing of generations; prepare students to be good citizens; and provide them with the necessary knowledge and skills for their lives. In Palestine and elsewhere, our schools assumed a prominent position and reputation on the educational level.
Our programs are also updated with the latest curriculum, educational issues, teaching methods, and teaching and learning strategies. The redesign of the learning environment is based on the requirements to ensure a comprehensive education for students, giving them access to modern and emerging knowledge, mastery of technical, artistic, and life skills, and the acquisition of human attitudes and values - all while preserving their national identity, heritage, and culture.
The Latin Patriarchate Schools adopt basic values, the most important of which are: belief in God, pluralism, acceptance and respect for others, belonging, love, quality of performance, professional responsibility, transparency, and integrity – as well as a high-quality and up-to-date education in a safe educational environment that promotes creativity, faith, citizenship, and human values.
LPS Palestine Mission and Vision
Based on our Christian identity and the ancient national history of our schools, we seek to improve the quality of education and its environment in accordance with the best standards, educational policies and humanitarian principles, and to develop human cadres to raise a scientifically creative generation, socially active, and reinforced by human values and good citizenship.
The strategic objectives of the Latin Patriarchate Schools are:
- Providing a high-quality education
- Promoting a safe educational environment and human and professional values
- Providing a positive interaction with the local community
- Developing institutional capacity
In order to preserve the historic legacy of the Latin Patriarchate schools, and to be worthy of the trust placed in us by our students, our priorities are to preserve:
- A child-friendly, safe environment that stimulates creativity and promotes open-mindedness, respectfulness and acceptance of others.
- Schools in which learning methods and technology vary, keeping up with the many updates.
- Schools whose staff are qualified, supported and appreciated. We invest in the growth and professional development of our administrative and educational staff, to allow our students to grow in all scientific, social, psychological and cultural aspects.
- Schools that promote faith in God and the values of citizenship and belonging.
- Schools working in partnership with the Ministry of Education and the institutions of the national and international community.
- Schools with strengthened administrative and financial systems and policies, enabling evaluation and accountability systems, and meeting the expectations of students, their parents, and society both in terms of education and success.
- Schools that have kindergartens and provide quality programs suitable for them.
