Successful Conclusion of the Second Phase of “Reading Wikipedia in the Classroom” in Yemen

The second phase of the “Reading Wikipedia in the Classroom” program, organized by the Wikimedia Foundation, has successfully concluded in Yemen. The program, held for the second time in the country, took place from January 25 to February 8, 2025, in collaboration with the Wikimedians of Yemen User Group and the Google Developers Group in Sana’a (GDG Sana’a), with generous hosting by the Ultimate Training Center.

The program aimed to enhance the digital skills of teachers and trainees by providing advanced training tools and opportunities to actively participate in the educational process. It also sought to develop information and media literacy skills, which are essential in the 21st century. Additionally, the program aimed to expand the Wikimedia community in Yemen and promote Yemeni culture through Wikipedia.

The training curriculum focused on three main pillars: the importance of accessing information, evaluating it, and creating it. The program was delivered through a blend of in-person and virtual sessions, led by certified trainer Rashad H. Al-Khmisy, with the support of training assistants: Ibrahim Qasem, Rasheed Mohammed, and Saber Rasam. The program included various hands-on activities designed to strengthen participants’ digital skills.

A total of 22 teachers and trainees from diverse backgrounds and specializations successfully completed all stages of the training. During the closing ceremony held on Saturday, February 8, 2025, graduates were honored and awarded certificates of completion. Trainer Mr. Rashad Al-Khmisy delivered a closing speech praising the efforts of all participants and organizers, expressing his hope that the graduates would contribute to enriching Arabic content on Wikipedia, particularly regarding Yemeni culture.

Tangible Results and Notable Achievements: During the program, participants made over 1,600 edits to Arabic Wikipedia, reflecting their engagement with digital content and their ability to contribute to the free knowledge movement. Pre- and post-training surveys showed significant improvements in participants’ knowledge and skills in using Wikipedia as an educational tool.

Challenges and Overcoming Them: The program faced some technical challenges, such as the blocking of Wikimedia Commons by internet providers in Yemen, which prevented full training on this aspect. However, the focus remained on enhancing participants’ skills in editing and evaluating content on Wikipedia, demonstrating the importance of flexibility in program design and implementation in challenging environments.

Acknowledgments: Trainer Rashad Al-Khmisy extended his gratitude to the Wikimedians of Yemen User Group, the Google Developers Group in Sana’a, and the training assistants: Ibrahim Qasem, Rasheed Mohammed, and Saber Rasam, as well as logistics officer Zikra Al-Khmisy and designer Noha Al-Wajeeh, for their outstanding efforts in ensuring the program’s success. He also expressed his appreciation to the Ultimate Training Center and its professional staff for their excellent hosting and cooperation in providing all training requirements. Special thanks were given to the “Reading Wikipedia in the Classroom” team in Jordan for sharing the training materials they translated from English to Arabic, highlighting their positive collaboration.

This program marks an important step toward strengthening Yemen’s digital presence on global platforms and opening new horizons for teachers and trainees to become part of the free knowledge movement. The program’s success demonstrates that the challenges facing education in Yemen can be overcome through targeted initiatives that enhance teachers’ skills and provide them with the tools needed to improve the quality of education