Russeifa, March 16 (Petra) – The Theodor Schneller School stands as a living model of religious coexistence and harmony in Jordan, providing educational services in the diverse social fabric of Russeifa, home to Muslims, Christians, Druze, and Palestinian refugees in the Hittin camp.

Since its cornerstone was laid in 1959 by the late King Hussein bin Talal, may his soul rest in peace, the school has been a beacon of education and integration. It officially opened in 1966 as the first specialized vocational school in Jordan, aiming to equip students with practical skills for the workforce.

Speaking to the Jordan News Agency (Petra) on Sunday, the school's director, Father Dr. Khaled Freij, explained that the institution operates under the Episcopal Church in Jerusalem. The original school was founded in 1860 by the German pastor Theodor Schneller, and following Jordan's independence, an expansion led to the establishment of the Russeifa (northern Amman) branch to support orphans alongside regular students in vocational education. In 2014, academic education was introduced, followed by vocational training for female students in 2016.

Freij highlighted the school's inclusive environment, which includes a boarding facility for about 120 orphans and children from special family circumstances. Students, regardless of religion or background, live and learn together in a family-like setting. The school fosters values of love, peace, harmony, and national loyalty under the Hashemite leadership.

The school's religious and cultural activities include Ramadan programs where Muslim students receive special meal arrangements for Iftar and Suhoor, while Christian students follow their regular meal schedules. The school also organizes Ramadan events in collaboration with Russeifa Municipality, local authorities, and charities to host Iftar meals for orphans.

Each year, the school, in cooperation with the Russeifa Awqaf Directorate, hosts celebrations for the World Interfaith Harmony Week, an initiative launched by King Abdullah II that has become a global observance.

Freij acknowledged the strong support the school receives from various Jordanian state institutions.

Spanning 667 dunums, the school's facilities include sports fields, an academic school from kindergarten to high school, a boarding house, and vocational workshops offering training in automotive mechanics, carpentry, metalwork, tourism and hospitality, baking, men's barbering, and women's hairdressing and beauty care. Recently, new programs have been introduced, such as hybrid and electric vehicle maintenance, landscaping, and horticulture.

//Petra// AF

16/03/2025 22:00:14