“I Feel Ready for My Exams!”
July 1, 2020
In the midst of all COVID-related disruptions, ENP participants are as confident as ever. Shiran, a 12th grader from Afula, has been studying with SPACE throughout the lockdown period in preparation for her final exams. “Our SPACE teacher helped us overcome the distance learning challenges and prepped us in the best possible way for the matriculation exams,” she says. “We solved math problems almost every day. I enjoyed the lessons and now feel ready for the matriculation exams.” Rotem, a 10th grader from Ashkelon, feels the same, declaring succinctly: “Had it not been for SPACE, we would never have passed our exams.”
Especially during this period of uncertainty, ENP remains a steady and reliable source of support for SPACE students. By early June, Israel's school system had reopened after the COVID-19-induced shutdown, allowing SPACE to resume on-site activities. Many schools where SPACE operates reopened completely, with SPACE groups finally able to physically convene. Still, some schools were forced to close again due to new COVID cases and a general rise in infection. In all these cases SPACE continued operations virtually on Zoom as during the lockdown period to great success. A particular emphasis was placed on supporting all 11th and 12th graders now taking their matriculation exams, and each student was provided with support in preparation for the exams.
These efforts have proven to be greatly successful. ENP supervisors were astounded to see the level of student participation in SPACE groups, largely thanks to the personal attention given by SPACE counselors and teachers who kept students motivated and invested in their studies. “The success of SPACE in this challenging period really defied our expectations,” Alemitu, one of ENP’s regional supervisors, remarked. “The teachers and counselors were amazing in how they managed to motivate the students and make themselves available to them at all times. At a time when it could have been so easy to let go a bit, both teachers and students came through in a way that went beyond our expectations."
As the school year draws to a close, SPACE will continue throughout the summer with specially-adapted programs that meet the students’ needs.