Case Study on education continuity in fragile settings. Horizons Academy: Sustaining learning, skills, and hope for youth in the West Bank and Gaza
In a context marked by repeated conflict and the shutdown of many learning opportunities, Horizons Academy, led by AlNayzak for Supportive Education and Scientific Innovation, has become a stable anchor for young people across the West Bank and Gaza.
The programme offers multi‑year academic and skills‑based learning for students aged 13–18, ensuring continuity even when schools close, infrastructure fails, or families face crisis. Horizons combines foundational literacy, social‑emotional learning, digital skills, and career readiness through a locally developed curriculum delivered by trained Palestinian educators. Courses such as English 100–102, Group Leading, Artificial Intelligence, and Critical Design and Thinking help students:
- Strengthen core competencies while processing stress,
- Build resilience
- Prepare for future academic pathways.
Modular lesson design and the 5Es instructional model allow learning to continue despite electricity cuts, psychological strain, or limited connectivity — especially in Gaza.
External partners like Outschool and CodeX contribute instructors and content at no cost, expanding access without creating financial barriers for families. Students and parents describe the programme as a lifeline: a space where young people regain confidence, explore their identities, and stay connected to their goals during uncertainty.
Horizons Academy shows that with the right mix of social-emotional learning (SEL), inquiry‑based pedagogy, and flexible delivery, education continuity can be transformative in fragile settings. Sustaining and scaling this model will require long‑term investment in local educators, digital access, and global‑local partnerships that keep learning open to every student, regardless of circumstance.
Case submitted by Yara Abdeen, AlNayzak Organisation.
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