Saudi Gazette report

THE Department of Education in Riyadh hosted four American language specialists to conduct a special English language course for 120 Saudi male and female teachers. It was organized as part of cooperation between the US Embassy in Riyadh and the Education Ministry.

Mohammed Al-Howaireni, director of educational training, said the qualitative course was aimed at professional development of English teachers. He said his organization hosted three programs in the past two weeks for special education, English language teaching through critical thinking and development of mathematical skills. “These programs targeted 450 teachers,” he added.

Al-Howaireni said his department has been providing training to school teachers by sending them to foreign universities and institutes with the support of King Abdullah Public Education Development Project and this has benefited 300 school educational leaders.

Meanwhile, Hamad Al-Wohaibi, director general of education in Riyadh, honored participants of the first forum for children of soldiers and security officers who had fallen martyr while fighting terrorists and enemies. Dr. Hamdan Al-Amri, assistant director general for school affairs, attended the event.

Muhaideb Al-Muhaideb, director of Wafa that takes care of the martyrs’ children, said the forum was aimed at taking care of education of these children. “It highlighted the significance of this group of children in our society,” he said while speaking to Al-Hayat Arabic daily.

He said the forum appreciated the great sacrifices made by the fathers of these children to defend the country’s security and stability. It discussed matters related to improving services being extended to the children of martyrs and the need to provide them with educational, psychological and social support.

“More than 1,000 students took part in the forum,” Al-Muhaideb said, adding that the forum included a seminar attended by sociologists and educationists. It also included a workshop for educational guides from 600 schools across the region.

In a related development, the Department of Education urged all public and private schools to give extra attention on breakfast of schoolchildren ahead of exams that begin on Dec. 31.

Food courts at schools should be checked to ensure cleanliness, said Al-Amri. Schools should make sure that breakfast charges are reasonable and affordable to all children, he added

“We should also complete maintenance of air-conditioners and refrigerators at food courts and make sure they supply hygienic food on time without any delay,” Al-Amri said.

Schools should also supply enough drinking water for students and suppliers must abide by the conditions of the contract. Food counters should be kept open throughout the day, he said.