An Arab family cooperation project with schools and neighbourhood facilities

The project “Al Ahali wa al Madrasa – Cooperation in the Neighbourhood: Arab Families and Schools” is jointly conducted by the Arabische Elternunion e.V. (Arab Parents’ Association) and the Association for New Education e.V. It aims to develop, stabilize and multiply Berlin’s existing cooperation efforts between Arab parents, day-care centres/kindergartens, schools and the Berlin-Kreuzberg neighbourhood (around Wassertorplatz).

In cooperation with an elementary school, a multi-generation house, various immigration organizations and other participating neighbourhood and youth welfare centres, measures are developed, which are supposed to increase the involvement of Arab parents in day-care centres, at schools as well as in the neighbourhood. These measures include: computer and German classes, presentations about school and education, setting up a women’s group, providing help with homework, etc.

Volunteer multipliers helped acquire and train contact persons, interpreters, parent advisers and group leaders in the community in the neighbourhood. Parent advisers contribute to improving communication between teacher or educator and parents, and also mediate in conflict situations. By building up trust with Arab families, they can activate these parents and get them involved in schools and day-care centres. Interpreters help with communication problems.

In the meantime, a café for parents has been set up at participating Otto-Wels Elementary School, which also features presentations on parental rights and responsibilities, the German education system as well as on family and communication. Arab parent nights take place, and parenting agreements between parents and schools are concluded. In the course of the project, there has already been a significant increase in participation from Arab parents at day-care centres and on school committees.

The project “Al Ahali wa al Madrasa” is sponsored by the Deutscher Paritätischer Wohlfahrtsverband (DPW) and the Association for New Education e.V., and is implemented together with the Arabische Elternunion e.V.