Jeddah Governor Prince Mishal Bin Majed with some of the teachers who took part in the competition for the distinguished teacher award at his office in Jeddah. — SPA
Fatima Muhammad
Saudi Gazette
JEDDAH — Prince Mishal Bin Majed, governor of Jeddah, on Sunday presented awards to teachers who took part in the distinguished teacher competition this year.
The competition, which is running for the second year in a row, was held under the theme “We All Respect You” and participants included both male and female teachers. The prizes were sponsored by prominent Jeddah businessmen.
Speaking during the award ceremony at the governorate, Prince Mishal, who is also the chairman of the award’s higher committee, said, “This award comes to honor distinguished teachers. For the award to have a positive impact the selection process has to be independent, transparent and objective; only those who deserve the award shall get it.”
According to Abdullah Al-Thaqafi, head of the education department in Jeddah, this competition has contributed to boosting the performance level of teachers. “The judgment will be transparent and objective based on the presentations made. Only those who deserve will get on to the stage,” he said.
Khaleel Al-Awafi, manager of planning and development at the Ministry of Education, told Saudi Gazette that in all they have received 28 entries for participation.
The competing teachers have come up with inspiring ideas and projects in strategic planning, use of technology in education and modern pedagogic principles.
Among the leading contestants is a mathematics teacher who has founded a popular math website, which is serving not only students in the Kingdom but also in the entire Arab region.
Women participants, said Al-Awafi, have come up with remarkable ideas. One of them is a plan of practical projects students need to submit for each lesson aside from the theoretical material.
Female participants, he said, have given special attention to kindergarten education.
The winner of the distinguished teacher award will be announced during a ceremony at King Abdulaziz University on May 20. Education Minister Prince Khaled Al-Faisal is scheduled to attend the event.
