BURAIDAH, 23 September 2007 — Education Minister Dr. Abdullah ibn Saleh Al-Obaid has called for the promotion of national unity among students by preparing special programs in schools throughout the country to celebrate the Kingdom’s National Day.
In a circular sent to all of the Kingdom’s educational directorates, Al-Obaid urged schools to prepare educational programs to enlighten students of the great efforts by the late King Abdul Aziz, the Kingdom’s founder, and his companions to unify this country.
“It is a unique chance to remind our students of the great struggle and hard work done by the founders of the country in order to work hard to preserve our achievements and complete our great march toward progress and prosperity,” Al-Obaid said.
Al-Obaid highlighted the importance of developing students’ loyalty to their religion, homeland and their leaders, and of warning them against deviant ideas and groups. He added that there was a need to create an awareness of the various plots instigated against the Kingdom.
The ministry advised schools to direct all extracurricular activities to the National Day by using the school morning assemblies. “Students are asked to write about the Kingdom in their composition subjects,” the circular said.
Other activities include inviting public figures and scholars to give lectures on the importance of national security and the role of citizens to help achieve this.
Students will also pay visits and participate in field trips to some concerned governmental institutions and historical sites. “This only applies to male students,” warned the circular.
Students will also fill Citizenship Cards — a new project that will be launched simultaneously in all of the Kingdom’s schools at 11.00 a.m.
“Students are asked to write down their obligatory roles toward their country in a paper designed by the ministry specially for this occasion,” the circular said.
Foreign schools are also marking the Saudi National Day by holding cultural events and competitions. “A special students’ assembly will be held on Monday to mark the Saudi National Day,” said Zahoorul Hassan, principal of the Pakistan International School, Riyadh (PISR).
“All PISR students, whose number currently exceeds 8,500, will participate in the assembly, which will discuss and debate several subjects, mainly Saudi-Pakistani relations, the development of Saudi Arabia and its role in the international fraternity,” said Hassan.
Asked about the programs organized by the International Indian School, Riyadh, Principal Manzar Jamal Siddiqui said, “About 200 students took part in an essay competition organized yesterday to mark the occasion.”
A two-day cultural exhibition will also be organized by the IISR beginning tomorrow to feature Saudi history, culture and heritage, said Siddiqui.
Several other schools have announced cultural events, debates and quiz contests to mark the occasion. All foreign schools will remain closed today.
— With input by Ghazanfar Ali Khan
