Pupils gather in the playground of the Makhtar boarding school before returning to class on September 29, 2022, in the Tunisian central-west region of the same name. - The Makthar boarding school, a unique business initiative is both generating income and opening pupils' minds to the outside world. Lotfi Hamadi, founder of the NGO "Wallah (Swear to God) We Can", is hoping that helping schools boost their resources through food and energy production can breathe new life into Tunisia's failing, cash-strapped education system. (Photo by FETHI BELAID / AFP)
Pupils gather in the playground of the Makhtar boarding school before returning to class on September 29, 2022, in the Tunisian central-west region of the same name. - The Makthar boarding school, a unique business initiative is both generating income and opening pupils' minds to the outside world. Lotfi Hamadi, founder of the NGO "Wallah (Swear to God) We Can", is hoping that helping schools boost their resources through food and energy production can breathe new life into Tunisia's failing, cash-strapped education system. (Photo by FETHI BELAID / AFP)
Entrepreneur Lotfi Hamadi (left), 46, founder of the 'Wallah [Swear to God] We Can' non-profit group set his sights on the school, south-west of the capital and close to his parents' hometown of Kesra. 'I wanted to take what works in the business world and turn schools into social enterprises,' said Hamadi. 'We are not trying to fill the gap left by the education system but to compensate them a bit, teach them to learn, give them the curiosity to open up to the world.'
Entrepreneur Lotfi Hamadi (left), 46, founder of the 'Wallah [Swear to God] We Can' non-profit group set his sights on the school, south-west of the capital and close to his parents' hometown of Kesra. 'I wanted to take what works in the business world and turn schools into social enterprises,' said Hamadi. 'We are not trying to fill the gap left by the education system but to compensate them a bit, teach them to learn, give them the curiosity to open up to the world.'
Mr Hamadi started a decade ago by gathering donations to buy 50 solar water heaters and 140 photovoltaic panels that produce four times the power consumed on site. By selling a third of the surplus back to the national power company, the school could pay back money owed to utilities and fund site improvements and extracurricular activities. The remaining extra power is distributed for free to three other nearby schools.
Mr Hamadi started a decade ago by gathering donations to buy 50 solar water heaters and 140 photovoltaic panels that produce four times the power consumed on site. By selling a third of the surplus back to the national power company, the school could pay back money owed to utilities and fund site improvements and extracurricular activities. The remaining extra power is distributed for free to three other nearby schools.
Last year, Mr Hamadi's group launched Kidchen, a farmers' co-operative that grows vegetables on about eight hectares of nearby land.
Last year, Mr Hamadi's group launched Kidchen, a farmers' co-operative that grows vegetables on about eight hectares of nearby land.
While some produce goes to the school canteen, 90 per cent has been sold since this summer, with the profits helping to pay for school activities. Kidchen is staffed by six school parents, formerly unemployed, and an agricultural engineer, who receive stable incomes and a share of the equity and dividends.
While some produce goes to the school canteen, 90 per cent has been sold since this summer, with the profits helping to pay for school activities. Kidchen is staffed by six school parents, formerly unemployed, and an agricultural engineer, who receive stable incomes and a share of the equity and dividends.
Mr Hamadi said better schooling is urgently needed in the country, which has endured years of political instability and economic woes since the revolution. The situation now is a far cry from the era of Habib Bourguiba, Tunisia's first president after independence from France in 1956, who strongly promoted primary education.
Mr Hamadi said better schooling is urgently needed in the country, which has endured years of political instability and economic woes since the revolution. The situation now is a far cry from the era of Habib Bourguiba, Tunisia's first president after independence from France in 1956, who strongly promoted primary education.
Initially the Arab uprisings inspired hope of greater social and economic rights, but today '75 per cent of pupils leave primary school without being able to write two sentences', Mr Hamadi said. 'The education system has been suffering since the revolution ... because every government has caved in to pressure from the unions.'
Initially the Arab uprisings inspired hope of greater social and economic rights, but today '75 per cent of pupils leave primary school without being able to write two sentences', Mr Hamadi said. 'The education system has been suffering since the revolution ... because every government has caved in to pressure from the unions.'
As a result, more than 95 per cent of the ministry's budget goes to paying staff salaries, leaving little for maintenance, schoolbooks and teacher training. About 100,000 pupils drop out of the Tunisian school system every year, and many parents, worried about low academic standards in state schools, opt for expensive private tuition.
As a result, more than 95 per cent of the ministry's budget goes to paying staff salaries, leaving little for maintenance, schoolbooks and teacher training. About 100,000 pupils drop out of the Tunisian school system every year, and many parents, worried about low academic standards in state schools, opt for expensive private tuition.
Chayeb, the chief farmer, said the Makthar model had helped his family and given his children better school meals and activities ranging from business skills and foreign languages to robotics and drama. 'Before, I was a seasonal worker on five or six-month contracts, always somewhere different,' he said. 'Now I work near where I live.'
Chayeb, the chief farmer, said the Makthar model had helped his family and given his children better school meals and activities ranging from business skills and foreign languages to robotics and drama. 'Before, I was a seasonal worker on five or six-month contracts, always somewhere different,' he said. 'Now I work near where I live.'
Former pupil Chaima Rhouma, 21, is now studying law with a view to becoming a diplomat. She said the project had completely revitalised the school, replacing a garbage-strewn yard with a sports field and garden. Literature, theatre and cinema clubs had filled her with 'good vibes', she said. 'I've become more curious, I'm always looking for new things. Here you can study by having fun.'
Former pupil Chaima Rhouma, 21, is now studying law with a view to becoming a diplomat. She said the project had completely revitalised the school, replacing a garbage-strewn yard with a sports field and garden. Literature, theatre and cinema clubs had filled her with 'good vibes', she said. 'I've become more curious, I'm always looking for new things. Here you can study by having fun.'
The school has gained a reputation in the region and there in high demand for places, with 80 children now on the waiting list, said its director Taher Meterfi. Meanwhile, Mr Hamadi is forging ahead with his next project — a largely organic 40ha farm project to supply the city's 23 schools with energy and food for about 3,500 pupils.
The school has gained a reputation in the region and there in high demand for places, with 80 children now on the waiting list, said its director Taher Meterfi. Meanwhile, Mr Hamadi is forging ahead with his next project — a largely organic 40ha farm project to supply the city's 23 schools with energy and food for about 3,500 pupils.

MENA

Solar power and farming revive Tunisia school as social enterprise - in pictures

An innovative project has allows one college to become self-sustaining by generating its own solar power and growing its own food

The National

November 04, 2022

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Polarised public

31% in UK say BBC is biased to left-wing views

19% in UK say BBC is biased to right-wing views

19% in UK say BBC is not biased at all

Source: YouGov

Where to buy

Limited-edition art prints of The Sofa Series: Sultani can be acquired from Reem El Mutwalli at www.reemelmutwalli.com

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Groom and Two Brides

Director: Elie Semaan

Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla

Rating: 3/5

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More coverage from the Future Forum
Saturday's schedule at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

GP3 race, 12:30pm

Formula 1 final practice, 2pm

Formula 1 qualifying, 5pm

Formula 2 race, 6:40pm

Performance: Sam Smith

FIXTURES

All kick-off times UAE ( 4 GMT)

Friday
Sevilla v Levante (midnight)

Saturday
Athletic Bilbao v Real Sociedad (7.15pm)
Eibar v Valencia (9.30pm)
Atletico Madrid v Alaves (11.45pm)

Sunday
Girona v Getafe (3pm)
Celta Vigo v Villarreal (7.15pm)
Las Palmas v Espanyol (9.30pm)
Barcelona v Deportivo la Coruna (11.45pm)

Monday
Malaga v Real Betis (midnight)

Kareem Shaheen on Canada
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MATCH INFO

Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Bayern Munich v Real Madrid
When: April 25, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Allianz Arena, Munich
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 1, Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid

Temple numbers

Expected completion: 2022

Height: 24 meters

Ground floor banquet hall: 370 square metres to accommodate about 750 people

Ground floor multipurpose hall: 92 square metres for up to 200 people

First floor main Prayer Hall: 465 square metres to hold 1,500 people at a time

First floor terrace areas: 2,30 square metres  

Temple will be spread over 6,900 square metres

Structure includes two basements, ground and first floor 

The specs

Engine: 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8

Power: 611bhp

Torque: 620Nm

Transmission: seven-speed automatic

Price: upon application

On sale: now

Need to know

Unlike other mobile wallets and payment apps, a unique feature of eWallet is that there is no need to have a bank account, credit or debit card to do digital payments.

Customers only need a valid Emirates ID and a working UAE mobile number to register for eWallet account.

TECH%20SPECS%3A%20APPLE%20WATCH%20SERIES%209
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDisplay%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2041mm%20%E2%80%93%20352%20x%20430%3B%2045mm%20%E2%80%93%20396%20x%20484%3B%20always-on%20Retina%20LTPO%20OLED%2C%202000%20nits%20max%3B%20Ion-X%20glass%20(aluminium%20cases)%2C%20sapphire%20crystal%20(stainless%20steel%20cases)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EProcessor%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Apple%20S9%2064-bit%2C%20W3%20wireless%2C%202nd-gen%20Ultra%20Wideband%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECapacity%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2064GB%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EMemory%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%201GB%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPlatform%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20watchOS%2010%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EHealth%20metrics%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Blood%20oxygen%20sensor%2C%20electrical%20heart%20sensor%20and%20ECG%2C%203rd-gen%20optical%20heart%20sensor%2C%20high%20and%20low%20heart%20rate%20notifications%2C%20irregular%20rhythm%20notifications%2C%20sleep%20stages%2C%20temperature%20sensing%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEmergency%20services%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Emergency%20SOS%2C%20international%20emergency%20calling%2C%20crash%20detection%2C%20fall%20detection%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EConnectivity%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20GPS%2FGPS%20%2B%20cellular%3B%20Wi-Fi%2C%20LTE%2C%20Bluetooth%205.3%2C%20NFC%20(Apple%20Pay)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDurability%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20IP6X%2C%20water%20resistant%20up%20to%2050m%2C%20dust%20resistant%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EBattery%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20308mAh%20Li-ion%2C%20up%20to%2018h%20regular%2F36h%20low%20power%3B%20wireless%20charging%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECards%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20eSIM%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFinishes%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Aluminium%20%E2%80%93%20midnight%2C%20pink%2C%20Product%20Red%2C%20silver%2C%20starlight%3B%20stainless%20steel%20%E2%80%93%20gold%2C%20graphite%2C%20silver%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EIn%20the%20box%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Watch%20Series%209%2C%20woven%20magnetic-to-USB-C%20charging%20cable%2C%20band%2Floop%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Starts%20at%20Dh1%2C599%20(41mm)%20%2F%20Dh1%2C719%20(45mm)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
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Real estate tokenisation project

Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.

The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.

Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.

On Women's Day
Under 19 Cricket World Cup, Asia Qualifier

Fixtures
Friday, April 12, Malaysia v UAE
Saturday, April 13, UAE v Nepal
Monday, April 15, UAE v Kuwait
Tuesday, April 16, UAE v Singapore
Thursday, April 18, UAE v Oman

UAE squad
Aryan Lakra (captain), Aaron Benjamin, Akasha Mohammed, Alishan Sharafu, Anand Kumar, Ansh Tandon, Ashwanth Valthapa, Karthik Meiyappan, Mohammed Faraazuddin, Rishab Mukherjee, Niel Lobo, Osama Hassan, Vritya Aravind, Wasi Shah

Gulf Men's League final

Dubai Hurricanes 24-12 Abu Dhabi Harlequins

Key findings of Jenkins report
  • Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
  • Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
  • Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
  • Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
Paatal Lok season two

Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy 

Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong

Rating: 4.5/5

Updated: November 04, 2022, 10:20 AM
PhotographyTunisiaClimate changeCop27