JEDDAH, 24 November 2004 — A Western international school has reached the point where adopting unusual measures is the only way it can survive.
“We don’t want to close so we are experimenting with new ideas in order to continue and perhaps flourish,” said Franca El Atrash, in charge of administration at the Saudi Arabian International School Italian Section. “The Italian community wants the school to survive as it provides a means of forging cultural links between the two countries,” she said.
Established in 1966, the school had 150 students during the 1980s but now has only 22 students and 12 teachers. Fifty percent of the students are now Arabs. The Italian community in Jeddah now numbers a little over 120 with most of its children going outside the Kingdom for education.
The school, which has KG, elementary and middle-level classes, plans to introduce French in addition to Italian, Arabic and English. With the introduction of French, it hopes to attract children from French-speaking North African countries. At present, scientific subjects are taught in English and arts subjects in Italian.
“We’re focused on improving our KG teaching. We’ve already upgraded the KG and primary curriculum so that teaching is available in either Italian and French or in Italian and English,” Principal Enza Alberico said.
The school claims a competitive edge as its fees are one-half or one-third of its other Western institutions.
“We are the only school in the city where a child can learn at least three languages,” the principal said.
The Italian diplomatic mission is deeply involved in developing the school and expanding its curriculum. “Italian Consul General De. Lelio Crivellaro has taken a personal interest in the matter,” Enza said.
