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Skills Leader spotlight: Transforming essential skills at Imam Al-Hassan Secondary School

At Skills Builder Global, we believe that everyone should have the essential skills to succeed. Today, we are proud to spotlight the incredible journey of Imam Al-Hassan Secondary School in Beirut, Lebanon, and its dedicated Skills Leader, Mrs. Jamal Moustafa.

A shared vision 

A group of young pupils from Imam Al-Hassan school dressed-up in dove costumes taking part in a school play to celebrate Mothers' day.

Imam Al-Hassan is a private secondary school part of the Al Mabarrat institution. Its mission is to raise independent, open-minded, and creative students capable of thriving in a rapidly changing world. A key pillar of their vision is inclusivity, specifically integrating special education students into mainstream classes to ensure they develop the transferable life and essential skills needed for the future. 

The challenge: overcoming inconsistency

Before joining the Global Accelerator Programme, the school's primary challenge was inconsistency. Different teachers used varied terminologies and rubrics, which often left students confused about their progress. Mrs. Moustafa explains that they lacked a unified system to track skill development effectively. 

The solution: the Universal Framework

The eight Essential Skills icons: Listening, Speaking, Problem solving, Creativity, Adapting, Planning, Leadership, and Teamwork.

The introduction of the Universal Framework has been transformative, providing educators, learners, and parents with a shared vocabulary. 

  • Daily routine: Skill steps are now embedded in lesson objectives, and the question "What skill step are you building?" has become a common classroom refrain. 
  • Community engagement: Parents have become familiar with this language through performances like the “Everyday Skills Builder” song.

The impact of the Global Accelerator 

According to Mrs. Moustafa, the biggest change has been the visible surge in student confidence, particularly among special education learners. 

"The biggest positive change was the boost in students' confidence, especially for those with special needs. They can now see their own progress, as the skills are broken down into small, manageable steps. This sense of achievement has led to increased participation and a greater willingness to take on leadership roles and tackle challenges."
Three Lebanese girls in their senior year smiling for the camera as they revise for their final exams. They are smiling warmly and excitedly. They are wearing their school uniform of black hijabs and blazers.

Words of wisdom 

For schools considering joining the Global Accelerator programme, Mrs. Moustafa offers one key piece of advice:

 "Embrace the programme as a whole-school commitment, not as a separate initiative". 

Consistency is everything, and when the whole team aligns, the transformation is remarkable.

Three female school teachers from Imam Al-Hassan school sat together around a table discussing lesson plans for the upcoming term. They are smiling and chatting, engaged deeply in conversation. They are wearing smart-professional outfits with a mixture of colourful hijabs in peach, pink, purple and floral patterns.

To learn more about how your school can join the Global Accelerator Programme, visit:

https://www.skillsbuilder.org/global/global-accelerator