Press Release

On August 30, 2008, two American teachers at Pioneers Baccalaureate School were denied entry by the Israeli Authorities at the Sheikh Hussein Bridge. Ms. Dana and Ms. Nichole left the country two weeks before their visas were due to expire. The Israelis offered no reason for their denial. They just returned them back to Jordan. It was the beginning of the school year and the school was left without two English teachers for first and third grade. The teachers participated in the summer camp program at Pioneers getting to know their students. They spent their summer in Nablus planning for the school year and preparing various activities for the students for the new school year. The students fell in love with their new American teachers and came to school Sunday morning looking for their departed teachers.

Last May, the Israelis also denied the entry of another American teacher at Pioneers, Dr. Sean Canavan. He spent the whole year working with the students but was unable to complete the school year with his students. Both students and parents cried over this teacher when they heard the news of his departure. Besides the emotional aspect, the school was severely effected.

To build a strong program, the school seeks to recruit experience native english speaking teachers to lead the English department. However, stability of teachers is essential to the success of this mission. If the international teachers are not offered visa extensions and are denied at the borders, this highly important program in Nablus will fail. A change in the education infrastructure is crucial to the development of this city and the country as a whole.