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SAT-7
World News

Christian TV broadcaster launches educational channel for child refugees

Broadcasting around the clock in Arabic, SAT-7 ACADEMY will build on "My School" broadcasts which air on SAT-7 and was watched by over 4.6 million children in 2016.

War has forced 13 million children out of school across the Middle East and North Africa. SAT 7 said schools that have not been destroyed are overcrowded, and the fear of violence has caused parents to keep their children at home and teachers to abandon their posts

Families flee conflict to save their lives, leaving behind their homes and jobs, and putting at risk their children's futures. These children are in danger of becoming a lost generation.

Juliana Sfeir, SAT 7's channel manager, told Premier the new channel was designed primarily for refugee families affected by the Syrian conflict, but will also aim to provide education and promote tolerance and critical thinking.

SAT-7
Syrian children in the Bekaa valley, Lebanon

Speaking of the success of programme 'My School', which catered to children in pre-school to early primary years, she said:

"When we visit the refugee tents we see kids watching 'My School'. They're learning to count, they're learning French, English, science and maths and they're being entertained as well because there are songs."

While refugee and displaced children and families will be a key audience, the channel seeks to bring positive change to viewers of all backgrounds.

Primary level education, parenting skills, health education, critical thinking, and conflict prevention and resolution all have a place in the schedules.

It aims to challenge ways of thinking and acting that lie behind many of the region's conflicts and inequalities and move them towards more inclusive, creative and democratic societies.

Regarding the faith-content of the show, Sfeir said: "It's aimed at people of all religions... SAT-7 has always believed in holistic education. In all our other channels we offer Christian education and values.

"In this [SAT-7 Academy] we will not offer overt Christian content but the values will be drawn from a Christian worldview.

"Viewers will probably recognise presenters as Christians and if they want to follow it up they can do that on our other channels. But it is Christian values that are pushing us to do this and reach out in this manner."

To ensure SAT-7 ACADEMY's programming can be used to maximum effect, SAT-7 is also launching an online e-learning centre. Viewers will be able to log on via laptops and mobile devices to customised profiles with courses that enable them to learn at their own pace.

Listen to Juliana Sfeir speaking with Premier's Marcus Jones here:

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