Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — The Ministry of Education will need as many as 17,655 female teachers to teach physical education in girls’ schools, a workshop here was told on Monday.

The workshop was a joint venture between the ministry and the General Sports Authority (GSA).

According to the ministry, about 9,000 female physical education teachers will be working in elementary schools while the others will be distributed among intermediate and secondary schools.

Princess Reema Bint Bandar, deputy president of the GSA, who participated in the workshop, said physical education in girls’ schools was not meant to prepare students for sports competitions.

“We are not talking about competitiveness or joining sports clubs. We want to teach school girls the importance of general health,” she said.

She recalled that the Kingdom’s 2030 Vision is focusing on partnership between all sectors to achieve the National Transformation Program including the empowering of women.

“There is close coordination and cooperation between the authority and the ministries of education and labor and social development,” she said.

The princess said the girls will wear special sports costumes which are in line with Shariah, Saudi traditions and sport requirements.

Education Minister Ahmed Al-Issa had earlier issued a decision to start physical education classes in girls’ schools starting this year.

He said the program will be according to Shariah and will be implemented gradually according to resources and potential available in each school.

The minister said sports halls will be built in girls’ schools and female teachers will be contracted to teach physical education.

He established a special committee to implement the project.