§ Dr. StarkeyTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on those schools within the Occupied Territories which have been closed or unable to operate(a) because of Israeli military order or curfew and (b) because they are located in areas which are not safe for children or employees. [138711]
§ Mr. FoulkesWe understand that the Palestine Authority closed its schools for security reasons, but that most of them re-opened on 7 October. Where circumstances have prevented them from re-opening, contingency arrangements have been put in place to enable teachers and pupils, wherever possible, to attend other schools in their locality.
§ Dr. StarkeyTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development when the International Consultation Workshop on Palestinian Education originally planned for 30 and 31 October will take place. [138714]
§ Mr. FoulkesThe International Consultation Workshop on Palestinian Education has had to be postponed because of security concerns in the West Bank112W and Gaza Strip. The Palestinian Ministry of Education plan to reschedule it as soon as circumstances allow and the safety of all participants can be guaranteed.
§ Dr. StarkeyTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what proportion of the aid from Her Majesty's Government to Palestinian education and schools in each of the last six years has been spent on schools in Hebron and Hawara. [138712]
§ Mr. FoulkesBritain has provided no direct assistance to schools in Hawara and Hebron in the last six years. We have provided technical assistance to the Palestinian Authority to build capacity in Ministry of Education, districts and schools to help them deliver high quality education to Palestinian children. Our assistance has taken the form of experts, training and some equipment.