I find it extraordinary that a military establishment should win an educational award from an international body. This is exactly what has happened, however; the Saudi National Guard has won the 2003 UNESCO prize in recognition of its efforts to eradicate illiteracy.

The prize comes as the culmination of years of hard work by the National Guard’s department of cultural and educational affairs. The department will soon end its involvement in providing free education to thousands who missed out on a regular education; the task will be handed over to the Ministry of Education. The prize and recognition by the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization marks a commendable end to very successful efforts that will not cease but will be taken over by another body.

This should be a source of pride for all of us. During the past years, the National Guard was able to offer instruction to large numbers of citizens who, for different reasons, received no formal education. Many were from areas which had no schools; an even larger number were traditional bedouin who moved from one place to another in search of grazing for their animals. They were following the traditions of their ancestors who had lived that way for thousands of years.

The National Guard reached out to these people, provided them with education, training and employment and often convinced them to settle in one place and give up their wandering lives. In turn, their children also received a free education in schools run by the National Guard.

Every Saudi should be aware of this remarkable achievement by the National Guard and take pride in what the organization has been doing. It carried on working silently while the world lived with dangers and threats. I hope this commendable achievement will receive all the attention it deserves in the media. The work should have been highlighted long ago by the media instead of being largely ignored. Education is the basis of all development and progress and only nations that look after, and excel in, education can move forward. Today illiteracy does not mean simply the inability to read and write. Any one who is not at ease with modern technology is for all practical purposes illiterate. Let us hope to see the day when all forms of illiteracy have been eradicated.

— Arab News Local Press 27 September 2003