Who is eligible for the Amala High School Diploma Program?

The program is specifically designed for youth who have previously dropped out of school and are seeking an opportunity to finish their secondary education. It was launched in Jordan in 2020 and Kakuma Camp, Kenya in 2021.

What is the curriculum structure of the Amala program?

The curriculum consists of five semesters, each focusing on a different area with two courses. Each semester is 10 weeks long. At the end, students work on a Personal Interest Project (PIP) and must fulfill 47 competencies (21 foundational, 26 best-practice) to graduate.

How does the Amala program support student well-being?

Well-being is central to the Amala experience. The program structure, daily mentions of well-being, and friendly facilitators who act as counselors and mentors aim to help students manage stress, build self-acceptance, and foster a supportive community.

What happens after graduating from the Amala High School Diploma?

Amala provides pathway advising and support for graduates. Alumni like Maged have used the diploma to gain admission to universities in Canada, while others like City have continued to develop their initiatives, like Girl Power, and are pursuing further education.

Is the Amala High School Diploma accredited?

Amala is currently undergoing accreditation with the Council of International Schools (CIS) and the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). Accreditation is expected to be in place by early next year, which will enhance recognition and facilitate higher education access.

How does the Personal Interest Project (PIP) work at Amala?

The PIP is a capstone project where students apply the knowledge gained throughout the program to address a real-world issue they are passionate about. It can be a personal endeavor or a team project, often leading to successful ventures like Scholarscope and Girl Power.

Amala’s High School Diploma - Migration Summit 2023

MIT OpenCourseWare

Education3 min read55 min video

Apr 11, 2023|195 views|8

migration displacement livelihoods refugees education workforce development MIT ReACT

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Key Moments

TL;DR

Amala's High School Diploma offers refugee youth a second chance at education for future opportunities with successful alumni.

Key Insights

The Amala High School Diploma program provides a second chance for refugee youth to complete secondary education.

The program is competency-based and 15 months long, covering the equivalent of the last two years of high school.

Alumni Marge and Sindy used the program to pursue higher education and entrepreneurship, founding Scholarscope and Girl Power respectively.

The Personal Interest Project (PIP) component is crucial for students to develop passion projects with real-world impact.

Amala is undergoing accreditation with CIS and NEASC, aiming for enhanced recognition and broader acceptance of the diploma.

The program emphasizes holistic development, including well-being, agency, and community engagement, beyond academics.

ADDRESSING THE EDUCATIONAL GAP FOR REFUGEE YOUTH

Amala Education was founded six years ago to address the critical lack of high-quality learning opportunities for refugee youth. Their flagship High School Diploma program is specifically designed for young people who have dropped out of traditional schooling. This 15-month, competency-based program offers a vital second chance, enabling displaced youth to complete their secondary education, access further learning, and pursue livelihood pathways. The program aims to empower youth and foster their potential to create positive change in their communities and the world.

PROGRAM STRUCTURE AND COMPETENCY-BASED LEARNING

The Amala High School Diploma curriculum is structured into five semesters, each focusing on a distinct thematic area with two courses. Each semester lasts 10 weeks, and upon completion of all five semesters, students undertake a Personal Interest Project (PIP). The program emphasizes developing 47 foundational and advanced competencies, moving beyond rote learning. Students learn a topic, reflect on its relevance, develop skills to identify real-world issues, take action, and document their progress to receive credit, fostering personal growth and practical application of knowledge.

ALUMNI SUCCESS STORIES: MARGE AND SINDY

The session featured two inspiring alumni: Marge, who studied in Jordan, and Sindy, who studied in Kenya. Marge, a founder of Scholarscope, an online scholarship platform, is now pursuing a double major in Psychology and Philosophy in Canada. Sindy founded 'Girl Power,' an initiative educating young girls on sexual reproductive health, which has reached over a thousand girls. Their experiences highlight how the Amala diploma equipped them with the skills and confidence to achieve significant milestones and create impactful community projects.

THE POWER OF THE PERSONAL INTEREST PROJECT (PIP)

A cornerstone of the Amala program is the Personal Interest Project (PIP), allowing students to delve into areas of passion and interest. For Marge, this was developing Scholarscope into an award-winning startup. For Sindy, a personal encounter inspired her to transition her PIP to the 'Girl Power' initiative, addressing period poverty and menstrual hygiene among girls in Kakuma Camp. The PIP provides a crucial space for students to apply their learning to address real-world issues, often leading to tangible community impact and entrepreneurial ventures.

NAVIGATING HIGHER EDUCATION AND ACCREDITATION JOURNEYS

Amala is actively pursuing accreditation with the Council of International Schools (CIS) and the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). While this process is ongoing, alumni like Marge have successfully used the diploma to gain admission to universities internationally, demonstrating its growing recognition. The program also offers pathway advising and counseling to support graduates in their applications. The accreditation aims to further solidify the diploma's credibility, facilitating broader acceptance by higher education institutions worldwide.

HOLISTIC DEVELOPMENT AND FUTURE GROWTH

Beyond academics, Amala integrates well-being into its core philosophy, recognizing the unique challenges faced by refugee youth. The program fosters a supportive community, encouraging personal growth, agency, and resilience. Looking ahead, Amala plans to expand its reach through both its own operated models and partnerships with other organizations globally. The goal is to increase access to this transformative educational pathway for more refugee youth, empowering them to build brighter futures and contribute meaningfully to society.

Mentioned in This Episode

●Software & Apps

●Tools

●Organizations

●Books

●Concepts

Navigating the Amala High School Diploma

Practical takeaways from this episode

Do This

Embrace the competency-based learning model that focuses on action and reflection.

Utilize the Personal Interest Project (PIP) to develop your passions and solve real-world issues.

Engage with facilitators and peers to foster personal growth and well-being.

Leverage the pathway advising and alumni support for higher education and career opportunities.

Actively participate in workshops relating to advocacy and college applications.

Avoid This

Don't be discouraged by past educational setbacks; Amala offers a second chance.

Don't limit your learning to academics; embrace the spiritual and hands-on aspects of the program.

Don't hesitate to adjust your Personal Interest Project if a more pressing need arises, as City did with Girl Power.

Don't underestimate the value of the diploma; be prepared to advocate for its recognition with institutions.

Don't hesitate to seek support for well-being and stress management from Amala staff and facilitators.

Common Questions

The Amala High School Diploma Program is a 15-month initiative designed for refugee youth who have dropped out of school, offering them a second chance to complete their secondary education. It focuses on competency-based learning, personal development, and practical application of knowledge.

Topics

High School Diploma Secondary Education Accreditation Competency-Based Education Menstrual Hygiene Sexual Reproductive Health Alumni Success Educational Initiatives

Mentioned in this video

conceptPhilosophy

One of the double majors Maged is pursuing at Prince Edward Island University.

organizationGirl Power

An initiative founded by Amala alumna City that educates young people about sexual reproductive health and menstrual hygiene management.

conceptMenstrual hygiene management

A key focus of City's Girl Power initiative, aimed at educating youth and alleviating period poverty.

conceptSocial entrepreneurship

A 10-week course in the Amala program that teaches students about startups, the business environment, and the entrepreneurial ecosystem.

softwareScholarscope

An online platform founded by Maged that connects students with universities and scholarships, which won Jordan Startup of the Year.

conceptPeriod poverty

An issue that City's Girl Power initiative aims to alleviate through education on sexual reproductive health and menstrual hygiene.

bookMath for Change

An example of a course within the Amala curriculum focused on applying mathematical concepts for positive societal impact.

organizationUnity Primary School

A primary school in Kakuma visited by City, where she witnessed a girl's distress related to menstruation, inspiring the Girl Power initiative.

conceptAmala High School Diploma Program

A 15-month program designed for youth who have dropped out of school, providing a second chance to finish secondary education and improve their lives.

conceptSexual reproductive Health

A topic addressed by City's Girl Power initiative to educate young people and alleviate period poverty.

organizationCouncil of International Schools (CIS)

An accreditation agency with which Amala is undergoing the accreditation process for its high school diploma program.

conceptJordan Startup of the Year

An award won by Scholarscope, an online platform founded by Amala alumnus Maged.

bookEconomy for positive change

An example of a course within the Amala curriculum focused on economic principles for societal benefit.

conceptSeptember

The month Maged and City graduated from the Amala program, with Maged graduating in September/October 2021 and City in September 2023.

legislationPearson Scholarship

A scholarship Maged was nominated for at the University of Toronto.