Friends Girls School

The Friends Girls School is historically known as the first organized educational initiative for girls in the city. It was opened in 1882 in the heart of Ramallah’s Old Town, supported by the Quaker community (Friends). At that time, the idea was revolutionary, as education was largely limited to boys through traditional religious schools. Prior to this, there was no formal education for girls in the city. The school’s establishment marked a turning point in affirming women’s right to education, reading, and writing., its curriculum focused initially on reading, writing, arithmetic, health and home education, as well as handicrafts and embroidery. Its history is closely linked with the city’s embroidery shops, as education combined academic skills with cultural heritage preservation. Thanks to this pioneering institution, Ramallah became known as a city that provided education to girls.