Education in Umm el-Fahm is evolving with the launch of ICEI’s brand new Municipal Model, a comprehensive citywide initiative for elementary and preschool education. Senior Ministry of Education officials (see photos) and Umm el-Fahm Mayor, Dr. Samir Subhi Mahamid, joined the event, helping to mark the partnership required for this innovative project. The new approach builds on years of success in individual schools around the city, to create a shared language of pedagogy and community collaboration.
At the heart of this transformation is Mary Igbaria, former principal of one of ICEI’s first pilot schools in the Arab community. “The changes ICEI effected weren’t limited to academics,” she shared. “The transformation of our school was apparent way beyond the classroom.” When the school later merged with another, ICEI’s program became the backbone holding it together through the transition. That’s why, in her new role as the city’s Director of Elementary Education, Mary approached ICEI to develop an original model that would serve Umm el-Fahm as a whole.
Why a Municipal Model?
The shift from a school-by-school approach to a Municipal Model is about creating consistency and maximizing impact. The Municipal Model ensures that all schools—including preschools—benefit from the same proven strategies, fostering collaboration and smoother transitions for students.
“What makes this program different is that it invests in teachers, not just students,” said the head of Umm el-Fahm’s education department at the program’s launch event. “That’s the only way to make lasting change.” Rema Igbaria, the ICEI coordinator directing the program, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that the new model would ensure that teachers, students, and parents all got support at every stage.
Personal Growth and Community Impact
The program’s impact isn’t just structural; it reaches every individual within the educational ecosystem. A parent at the launch shared how her daughter, who attends one of ICEI’s Tamkin schools, became more independent and confident. “She’s a leader,” the mother said. “Even gifted kids are excelling in new ways.”
Educators are also feeling the shift. “I thought I knew everything after 20 years,” one teacher admitted. “But ICEI’s Tamkin pushed me to grow. Now, it’s the foundation of our school.”
A Vision for the Future
The Municipal Model aligns with Umm el-Fahm’s vision of excellence, emphasizing early literacy and data-driven strategies. Better yet, it also is developing a scalable model of educational transformation for other cities. By integrating preschool, elementary, and community-level programs, the model helps create continuity and consistency in educational quality and methodology. With a citywide approach, ICEI is not only reaching more students, it’s bringing the whole community together for a stronger future.
