Okaz/Saudi Gazette
TAIF — The University of Taif has reported low response from women students to the newly announced physical education program at the university.
After the Ministry of Education approved physical education and training in girls schools across the Kingdom, the university announced that it would start a program for women with the aim of qualifying them to become PE instructors in schools.
The university announced on Thursday that the application process would be open until Saturday for high school graduates with an 80 percent pass grade.
The university clarified that students who have already enrolled in different programs could switch their current major to physical education.
However, the university said it did not have many students applying for the physical education program. The students are apprehensive about job security after graduating with the new major.
The university previously started a new major in biotechnology and promised the students of high employability after graduation, but the graduates of the program were shocked to know that the new major was not recognized by the Ministry of Civil Service.
Taif University President Hussam Zaman said the Department of Physical Education and Sports Sciences aims to graduate excellent trainers in the field by offering students academic and vocational programs, consultations and research opportunities.
In a landmark decision on July 11, the Ministry of Education announced that public schools in the Kingdom would offer physical education training for girls starting next academic year, which is set to begin in September.
The program will be implemented in line with the Shariah regulations and in a phased manner depending on the available capabilities of each school.
Schools will arrange sports halls and hire qualified women physical education staff before introducing the program.
The ministry said the decision was taken in line with the goals of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 to raise the percentage of those practicing sports and physical exercise in the country.
