building madeavailable forthepurpose. Twosupervisors fromtheGazaStripmake monthly visitstotheschool. Through theco-operation oftheIsraeli andEgyptian ~uthorities, arrangements havebeenmadeforthepupilstotakethesixth elementary, thirdpreparatory andtawjihi (secondary) stateexaminations. 2.Vocational andtechnical education 56.Thenumberoftraining placesavailable toPalestine refugees inthe vocational andtechnical courses conducted inUNRWAtraining centres was3,812. (Details ofthecapacity ofthetraining centres in1984/85, bytradegroup,centre andsexaregivenintable4ofannexI.)Inaddition, theAgency sponsored the vocational training of40refugees inprivate institutions. -9-63. onei and oft Inr 1984/ furth train reduc corre trai 65. July high one and byW oft62. was7 teac. cours pers 41tr spec one-y spec quali6l. for candi prepa eleme appoi high the throu and1__------- I -10-60.Workopportuni'ties forgraduates oftheAgency1s vocational training centres weresomewhat affected bythegeneral downturn ineconomic activity intheMiddle East. Atotalof1,094hadfoundjobsinaperiodofeightmonthsafter graduation, representing 70percentofthe1983/84 graduates. Anexpansion ofthe programme, particularly toprOVide more opp~£tunities forwomen, wouldbeamply justified. Inthemeantime, inacontinuing programme ofimprovement, theAgency introduced anelectronics courseattheDamascus Vocational Trainirtg Centre andtwo para-medical courses (onefordentalhygienists andoneformedical secretaries) at theAmmanTraining Centreduringtheyear. Anumberofexisting courses were upgraded withthepurchase ofnewequipment. Theseincluded Business andoffic~ practice, RadiO/TV mechanic andvarious building tradescourses. Thenewand upgraded courses wereallfinanced bydonations fromtheOPECFund.57.Thetraining centreatSiblininLebanon remained invirtual occupation by armedmilitiamenoftheLebanese Progressive Socialist Party(PSP),whoentered the centreinAugust 1983andstayeduntillateApril1985. Inanefforttocompensate forthelossofthefacilities, UNRWAranclasses forSiblintrainees infour courses inneighbouring SidonandinBeirut. Thesetrainees completed their training inOctober 1984.Itwasdecided thentorecruit newtrainees forthesame courses andtraining forthesestarted inMarch1985onasimilar basis. Anumber oftrainees weretransferred toAgencytraining centres inJordan andSyria. In May1985,theSiblincentre wasevacuated bythePSP,andminormaintenance workis beingcarried outtoallowforreopening inautumn 1985,ifconditions permit. 59.TheVocational Training CentreinGazaoperated normally uptoearly March1985. On6March,reacting inparttoadecision bytheFieldDirector not toallowtheestablishment ofapolitically-oriented student council, a demonstration tookplaceintheFieldOffice compound during whichparticipants brokeintooffices, smashing 450windows anddamaging furniture andequipment. The totaldamage wasabout$8,000. Asaresu.coftheincident itwasdecided toclose theCentre on7Marchuntilfurther notice. TheAgencyexpressed concern tothe Israeli authorities overwhatitregarded asaninadequate response toitsrequest forprotection ofpremises andstaff. Twelvetrainees were dismissed~ 10morewere notallowed tocontinue theirtraining, butconsideration wouldbegiventoallow themtoreturnforexaminations, and19others weresuspended fortwoweeksfor theirinVOlvement. Anumberofinstructors weresuspended without payforvarying periods oftimeforfailing toattempt tomaintain control overtheirtrainees and forinadequately assisting theAgencywithitsinquiries relating totheincident. TheCentreeventually reopened on8April,aftertheoneweekspringvacation, and thetraining yearwasextended bythreeweekstocompensate forthetimelost.58.Thevocational training centres inJordan andtheSyrian ArabRepublic
**Analysis**
The text primarily discusses the vocational training programs and centers operated by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), focusing on the number of trainees, courses offered, and challenges faced by the agency. The text also mentions the impact of economic downturn in the Middle East on job placement for graduates and the expansion of the program to provide more opportunities for women. While it touches on issues related to security and protection of premises and staff, the core focus is on education and employment.

**Category**
Education, Employment