Constructing Energy-efficient, Child-centred Schools in Jordan

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To ensure equitable access to education within the Jordanian Response Plan to the Syrian crisis, Dorsch Impact, in a Joint Venture with Dar Al Omran-Rasem Badran, is designing and building 18 schools.

Ground-Breaking Event of Al Nahda School in Ramtha-Jordan, the first of 18 schools funded by the EU and KfW.
© Dorsch Impact

"We can directly see and experience the successes and the changes that we bring about, and soon we will see the change in the lives of the students”, says Salam Najjar, Senior Programme Manager of the School Construction Programme on behalf of Dorsch Impact. 

The main stakeholders of the programme are the two donors funding it, the European Union and KfW Development Bank, and the Jordanian Ministry of Education (MoE) and the Ministry of Public Work and Housing (MoPWH) and most importantly the school communities.

Many of the country's schools are currently overcrowded. To accommodate the increased number of students, nearly 900 schools are working double shifts.

“For more than one reason, Jordan has a great need for new schools”, explains Salam, who has been with Dorsch Impact for nearly five years and in charge of the project since its start in spring 2019. The Syrian refugee crisis, and the post-COVID migration from private schools to public schools, as well as population growth pose a huge challenge for the education system. “As a result, many of the country's schools are currently overcrowded. To accommodate the increased number of students, nearly 900 schools are working double shifts. In addition, some classes are held in rented buildings that are not suitable to function as schools”, reports Salam.

The Ministry of Education estimates that 600 new schools will need to be built within ten years. “Thus, an average of 60 schools per year are required to meet the additional demand”, Salam says. She and her team are proud to be involved in the design and construction of these 18 new, modern inclusive and accessible schools, designed in line with the 21st Century School Concept.

Selection of Suitable School Locations

At the beginning of the project, and in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Works, the team was tasked with defining technical, social and financial criteria for the selection of suitable school locations. “We were given a list of about 60 schools, and had to analyse the locations, the educational needs and really assess the situation in each catchment area”, Salam explains. “The goal was to look at the catchment area as a whole, for example, how many schools already exist there, whether it is a real school or a makeshift school, how many students are taught in how many square meters, is it okay in terms of accessibility or does it have suitable road networks?” 

For example, one of the EU's specific requirements was that the team selects sites where it could ensure that at least ten percent of the students were Syrian, as the intention is to integrate the Syrians into the education system. “Another EU requirement was that at least 50 percent of the students are female. This was easily achieved, as only four of our chosen 18 schools are all-boys”, says Salam.

… soon we will see the change in the lives of the students, how they go from being in a small school that is really unequipped and inappropriate to a modern, fully equipped school.

While the planning started in 2019, construction did not begin until about a year ago, in September 2022. "This was mainly due to the fact that it was initially too difficult to find the right sites, coordinate the interests of the many stakeholders and obtain the necessary permits," says Salam. In addition, planning was also delayed by the coronavirus pandemic. But the team is already celebrating its first major successes.

"We are about to hand over four schools by the end of December and nine more are on their way to start construction," says the programme manager.

However, the contract does not end with the handover of the school buildings. Dorsch Impact was also commissioned to assist the Ministry of Educations in procuring furniture and equipment for the schools. 

On average, each school saves 90 tons of CO2 emissions per year.

Net-zero energy buildings

The various challenges are not easy for the team, but everyone is very happy to be a part of it. “We can directly see and experience the successes and the changes that we bring about, and soon we will see the change in the lives of the students, how they go from being in a small school that is really unequipped and inappropriate to a modern, fully equipped school”, she describes, full of joy. "And they move to a new building that has all the facilities they need, including proper sanitary facilities and heating.” 

Making use of Jordan’s 300 days of sun a year, all schools are designed as net-zero energy buildings, utilizing 100 percent green and renewable energy sources. On average, each school saves 90 tons of CO2 emissions per year.  

This is extremely important, as even schools equipped with central heating systems struggled to have enough budget for heating fuel throughout winter months. “Many schools are still dependent on kerosine heaters which are not very efficient or hygienic. Applying solar energy to fully light, heat and cool the school buildings is a great achievement, as it proven that students perform better in thermally comfortable environments”, Salam explains.

21st Century School Concept

The schools were planned based on the 21st Century School Concept, "adapted to the needs of Jordan, given the very high demand for new school places where funds must be stretched to achieve the maximum numbers of students", says Salam. This includes issues like the amount of space available per student, and the numbers of students in each classroom.

The goal is for a classroom to have only 36 to 40 students, with areas ranging between 1.3 square metre to 1.44 square metre per student. "This might be considered crowded in other countries, but it provides a a big upgrade from the current situation where some students attend class in make-shift schools, or in classrooms that serve more than 50 students", she explains.

Design Based on Standardised Modules

The design of the 18 schools is based on modular elements but not as prototypes, so each school is designed specifically for its location, based on its own needs. The classrooms are identical in size, design, and proportions. "The standardised modules give the project its unique character and makes it easier for the Ministry of Education to equip and maintain all schools because we have the same modular unit design everywhere”, says the programme manager.

After the handover of the completed schools and the finishing of the equipment, the project team must report to KFW and the EU on the operation of the school, the state of maintenance of the schools and the satisfaction of the school users.

The end of the project is not yet in sight, but Salam Najjar is pleased that the entire team has learned a lot and outdone themselves so far. "I already feel that it has been an amazing experience, with its impact clearly visible on the ground."

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All renderings © Dar Al Omran-Rasem Badran

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