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AMMAN — Jordan has taken “positive steps” to remove a key factor that used to exclude refugee children from the national educational system by allowing them to enrol in schools despite not holding a refugee service card, according to UNESCO.

The first regional edition of the UNESCO Global Education Monitoring Report, titled "Migration, Displacement and Education: Building Bridges, Not Walls", recommended protecting the right of migrants and displaced persons in Arab countries to accessible education.

Integrating refugee children into national education systems and understanding their needs include “being accurate in historically presenting their cases of migration and displacement during the educational process”, stated the report.

In order to avoid “triggering unwanted emotions”, the report advised teachers to train and prepare for circumstances that require them to address “the children’s diversity and hardships”.

The report, which was launched at the World Innovation Summit for Education in Doha last Thursday, also called for "harnessing the potential of migrants and displaced people”.

“There is no doubt that Arab countries face a unique challenge in their quest for inclusive education, but despite the magnitude of this challenge, we cannot expect displaced children and youth to give up their right to education,” UNESCO Director of the Global Education Monitoring Report Manos Antoninis was quoted in the report as saying. 

The report pointed out that one-third of the world's refugees come from Arab countries, 6.7 million of whom are from Syria alone, residing mostly in Jordan, Turkey, Lebanon, Egypt and Iraq.

Despite these countries being described as “hospitable”, 39 per cent of Syrian children are still out of school. In Jordan, around 36 per cent of Syrian children are not admitted into schools.

Refugees' lack of birth or school certificates is an obstacle for them to enrol in Lebanese schools, the report said, while in Jordan and Iraq, the removal of this requirement allows everyone to register.

Jordan’s elimination of the requirement and adoption of the two-shift school system were praised by Anotoninis as “immediate and realistic solutions”, although “needing further financial support to be able to provide the necessary means for teachers and children to participate in a fruitful learning experience”, the report said.

AMMAN — Maintenance work on the Disi Water Conveyance Project is ongoing, Water Ministry Spokesperson Omar Salameh said on Tuesday.

Ministry cadres are working round-the-clock to complete the maintenance, which is expected to be finished by Thursday morning, Salameh told The Jordan Times, adding that pumping was discontinued due to recurrent violations on the pipeline. 

The project pumps 15 million cubic metres of water to several governorates, including to the capital Amman, Salameh said, noting that if the 320-kilometre pipeline is not maintained regularly, it risks severe damage.

Water conditions have improved and have not regressed, despite the challenges the Kingdom has faced in the past few years, the spokesperson said.

"Water resources in the Kingdom are scarce and the ministry seeks to establish strategic projects to secure citizens' needs in the future," Salameh said, adding: "Rainfall does not directly affect the condition of drinking water, but rather the limited water sources like Yarmouk River, Al Wihdeh dam and other underground wells."

As a result, the ministry has begun to utilise and process water from dams, succeeding in providing various areas with water through the Kufranjah and Mujib dams, he said. 

In Amman alone, there are 1.5 million water subscribers, but water is not being cut off for all of them, Salameh said. 

He also noted that when the Emirate of Transjordan was established in 1921, per capita was more than 1,500 cubic metres, but at present has regressed to less than a 100 cubic metres annually. 

The regression has caused the water deficit to reach 500 million cubic metres, which is why the turn system is applied, Salameh said, noting that Jordan needs 1.4 billion cubic metres of water annually, but only 900 million is available, reiterating the need for strategic projects that ensure enough water is provided.

AMMAN — The foundation was laid for two new Arab Potash Company (APC) projects on Tuesday, the first for construction of a new administration building and the second dealing with the management of potash storage, handling and packaging.

At a ceremony to unveil the company's new projects, APC Chairman of the Board of Directors Jamal Sarayrah said that the company's net profits this year after taxes, provisions and royalties grew to reach JD121 million by the end of the third quarter, in comparison with JD89 million during the same period in 2018, according to an APC statement.

With the completion of dam 19, Sarayrah predicted an increase in potash production by 140,000 tonnes, pointing out that the APC is considering expanding inside and outside its concession area, notably to Ghor Fifa.  

He added that the two new projects have been designed to boost the APC's competitiveness and expand production.   

The first project falls within the APC's endeavours to “keep all workforces close to production processes”, increasing efficiency through managing challenges and problems “live, from the scene”, Sarayrah said. 

“The APC has proved to be a success story in the Jordanian economy,” he added, highlighting that the company is run in full by Jordanian workers.

Maen Nsour, APC president and CEO, said that each project “has its significance”, with the first project moving the upper management to Ghor Al Safi in Karak Governorate to work closely with production workers, "the backbone of the company". 

The new main administration building consists of four 900-metre stories designed according to “high-level architectural standards”, in addition to a 1,500-square-metre facility to be used as a control centre and centre of training, research and development, the source added.

The second project aims at managing the storage, handling and packaging of potash, and is in compliance with the company's expansion processes, including increasing the storage capacity to reach 4,500 tonnes through constructing a new storage area equipped with advanced technologies.

It also includes setting up specialised units for packaging, stuffing containers, loading trucks and a unit for mixing potash, he said. 

 The APC's strategic plan focuses on boosting infrastructure, especially the company's assets, including factories, dams and equipment, as well as addressing product diversification and giving increased attention to specialised fertilisers, he said, adding that the strategies contribute to establishing production processes that depend on computing and artificial intelligence.  

AMMAN — Cha University in the Republic of Korea, with the support of The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), organised two mental health workshops on November 18 and 24, respectively, for 40 parents of children with various challenges at Marka School for Hearing Impaired Students and the Royal Academy for the Blind, according to a KOICA statement.

The workshops consisted of lectures on management of stress and trauma through physical training and handcraft sessions, according to the statement. 

AMMAN — The Central Bank of Jordan (CBJ) on Tuesday warned against the promoting or trading of crypto-currency through social media websites. A CBJ statement pointed to the phenomenon of promoting crypto-currency such as “Dagcoin” through social media websites, the Jordan New Agency, Petra, reported.

The bank called on citizens to avoid trading in all kinds of crypto-currency due to the high risks it poses. These risks include frequent fluctuation of currency value, financial crimes, electronic hacking and loss of currency value, in addition to the legal risks of trading with crypto-currency.

AMMAN — Security services on Tuesday arrested two people, one of whom fired bullets in the air on a university campus in Irbid.

The Public Security Department (PSD) spokesperson said that Irbid Police Directorate received a report about three people, one of whom had fired bullets in the air inside a university in the governorate due to a previous conflict, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

One of the suspects escaped the premises, and no injuries were reported. Investigations led the PSD to identify the suspects, arrest two of them and confiscate the weapon.  The two detainees are under questioning, while the search continues for the third suspect. 

AMMAN — Jordanian Ambassador to Romania Sufian Qudah on Tuesday presented his credentials to Romanian President Klaus Iohannis in a ceremony held at the presidential palace in Bucharest.   

The envoy conveyed His Majesty King Abdullah's greetings to President Iohannis and his wishes for further progress and prosperity for the Romanian people. Qudah also relayed King Abdullah’s congratulations to the president following his victory in the country's presidential election, which took place on Sunday.

For his part, the Romanian president conveyed his greetings to His Majesty, lauding his "wise policies and the distinguished bilateral relations" between the two countries, according to the Jordan News Agency, Petra.

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah, the Supreme Commander of the Jordan Armed Forces-Arab Army (JAF), on Monday attended a tactical exercise by the Central Military Region’s 1st Royal Guards Mechanised Brigade.

The King was received at the exercise location by Prime Minister Omar Razzaz, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Maj. Gen. Yousef Huneiti, and senior JAF officers, according to a Royal Court statement.

Huneiti stressed commitment to implementing His Majesty’s directives to continue developing and upgrading JAF capacities and ensuring decent standards of living for army personnel, the statement said.

Huneiti said there are plans for increased focus on training to ensure JAF personnel are ready to safeguard Jordan and counter terrorist and extremist threats.

Huneiti expressed JAF’s pride in the King’s leadership and achievements in spreading peace and compassion, which have garnered international attention, the statement said.

The tactical exercise simulated the execution of a tight defence plan, utilising artillery and attack helicopters, as well as various types of arms and anti-tank weapons, according to the statement. 

Senior officials and officers, heads of security agencies, military retirees, a number of university students, presidents and faculty, and military attachés at embassies in Jordan attended the exercise.

AMMAN — Nothing changes the reality that the Israeli settler units are illegitimate, and there is no decision that can cancel the fact that they are a clear violation of international law, Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi said Monday. 

Delivering a speech at the extraordinary session of the Arab League Council’s meeting of foreign ministers, which was called for by Palestine, Safadi warned against the altered stance of the US on establishing settlements, according to a Foreign Ministry statement.

"Our meeting today does not need to stress the illegitimacy of the Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian state," Safadi said, adding that this is a fact that was established in UN Security Council Resolution 2334.

"We meet today to warn again of the catastrophic repercussions of the settlements on efforts to realise permanent and comprehensive peace," the minister said, adding that settlements perpetuate an illegal, illegitimate and inhumane occupation, whose existence threatens regional and international peace and security.

"Israel pretends it wants peace, yet its actions undermine efforts to attain it; Israel pretends it wants security, yet its illegitimate and inhumane unilateral measures fuel the conflict."

Safadi reiterated that the two-state solution, which guarantees the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the pre-1967 lines with East Jerusalem as its capital, is the only means to realise peace and security. 

The minister added that Israel this year has announced plans to establish 8,337 settler units, which is double the number announced last year. Currently, the number of settlers in the West Bank constitutes 14 per cent of its population, and in Jerusalem alone, there are some 215,000 settlers.

Such figures will never allow the two-state solution to be reached, he said.

The international community has to make a crucial decision in facing Israeli aggressions and the illegitimate settlements so as to protect international peace and defend its laws and principles, Safadi stressed.

The minister expressed the Kingdom’s appreciation for the countries and international organisations that have highlighted the illegitimacy of the settlements and denounced these procedures that violate the international community, adding that Jordan calls for translating these stances into actions that can “make Israel pay for its disdain of international law and the rights of Palestinians”. 

Earlier on Monday, Safadi met his Egyptian counterpart Sameh Shoukri in Cairo to discuss means of furthering bilateral cooperation and coordination in regards to regional developments.

Convening ahead of the Arab League Council meeting, the two sides stressed that their countries are taking practical steps towards advancing cooperation in all fields, according to a ministry statement.

Talks went over developments in the Palestinian cause, mainly those related to the repercussions of the American decision to legitimise Israeli settlements.

Safadi reaffirmed the illegitimacy of Israeli settlements in the occupied territories, which the international community is “unanimous in condemning”, voicing rejection of the unilateral measure, which undermines the only solution for comprehensive peace, the two-state solution. 

He also warned against the ramifications of the American decision, which may doom peace efforts.

Talks also covered the crises in Libya, Yemen and Syria, as well as means to stimulate joint Arab action to face the challenges threatening regional security and stability, with the two sides reiterating that Amman and Cairo are jointly proceeding to serve Arab causes. 

AMMAN — On Monday, Jordan joined in celebrating the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, which falls on November 25 annually. This year's theme was "The Orange World: Generation of Equality Stands against Rape", according to the Higher Population Council (HPC). 

In 2009, the UN General Assembly designated November 25 as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and as an “Orange Day” for its “Say No- Unit” campaign to mobilise individuals, civil society, activists, governments and the UN system to strengthen efforts to end violence against women and girls globally, according to an HPC statement.

The UN General Assembly declaration defined violence against women as “any act of gender-based violence that results in or is likely to result in physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or in private life".

In the statement, the HPC stressed that it is “committed” to focusing on issues of women's empowerment and paying attention to reproductive health and gender equality through seminars and awareness workshops.

The HPC referred to the results of the Jordan Population and Family Health Survey (2017 -2018), which showed that 21 per cent of married women between the ages of 15 and 49 have been subjected to physical violence at least once. Moreover, 14 per cent were subjected to physical violence during the 12 months prior to the survey, and 2 per cent were subjected to this type of violence during pregnancy, according to the statement. 

In terms of ​​sexual violence, (i.e. the physical coercion of a woman to have sexual intercourse with her husband against her will), the survey showed that 5 per cent of women have been subjected to this type of violence by their current or previous spouse. 

As for ​​violence against women during pregnancy, the HPC indicated that this type of violence may not only threaten women’s well-being, but may also threaten the lives of their unborn children. The survey indicated that 7 per cent of women were "beaten, slapped, kicked", or subjected to physical violence at least once during pregnancy, according to the survey. 

The results showed that 24 per cent of women who have been married have been subjected to “physical violence and/or sexual violence” by their current or most recent spouse, while about a third (32 per cent) have experienced “physical, sexual and/or emotional violence”.

The HPC noted that the data show a “marked increase” in violence rates against women, as most percentages are “significantly higher” than survey data from 2012. 

The HPC stressed the need for a transitional framework through which structural and infrastructural obstacles to gender equality and women's rights are addressed.

The council highlighted that insufficient women’s empowerment and low economic participation, which does not exceed 16 per cent of the economic activity rate, are considered “violence against women and girls”. Moreover, women are poorly represented in political and judicial fields as well as in other aspects of life, the statement said. 

UN data show that one in three women and girls worldwide experience physical or sexual violence during their lifetimes, mostly by their partners, according to the statement. 

Only 52 per cent of married women “make decisions freely” about their sexual relations and using contraceptive methods and health care, the statement said. 

Nearly 750 million women and girls around the world are married before the age of 18, while 200 million women and girls have undergone female genital mutilation.

Moreover, one in every two murdered women were killed by their partner or a family member worldwide, compared to one in 20 men who were killed in similar circumstances. Additionally, 71 per cent of all human trafficking victims are women.