Saudi Gazette

JEDDAH — The new physical education (PE) major for women which recently opened at Taif University is one of a kind in a Saudi university.

Up to 2,129 female high school graduates in Taif have specified this major as their top choice.

This number represents 75% of all female students who adhere to the criteria of the university and can join this major since they all have gained 80% marks in high school.

The new major is officially named Physical Education and Sports Sciences, said university spokesman Saleh Al-Thubaiti.

The new major at the university aims at providing qualified female graduates familiar with both methodology and application, said the spokesman.

Many girls have also asked if they can change their majors and switch to PE. Some girls who have already graduated have also expressed interest in PE major. “I have already graduated from another major. May I register again in PE major?” asked a graduate.

The interest in PE major stems from job assurance as the Ministry of Education is going to open PE classes in public schools from September when new academic year starts.

Many universities are being asked by girl students to open PE major. Among the universities with heavy demand for opening this major are King Saud University, King Abdulaziz University, Taiba University, Majma’a University, Baha University and Jazan University.

It will take four years for those taking PE major to complete their graduation. So a trending hashtag recommends giving the task of managing PE classes during this transit period to girls who graduated from “family raising” major since they are familiar with diet and calorie calculation.

“We are the closest major to PE. We should get the PE jobs until specialized girls graduate,” said Maha Al-Ruwaili, an unemployed girl from the family raising major.