Saudi Gazette Today's children will be tomorrow's leaders. Education inspires and fosters their growth and develops their personality.The quality of education they receive today will determine how well they can serve their community tomorrow. In an effort to provide high quality education to the children of this country, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah, has decreed the Ministry of Education in cooperation with school authorities , to create optimal school environments for our students. Keeping up the spirit of this responsibility, Prince Faisal bin Abdullah, Minister of Education, has been visiting schools and universities to oversee necessary improvements. Endeavors are being made to ensure that the schools have qualified staff, better quality of education, excellent learning atmosphere, and that students enjoy attending school. On his recent trip to Al-Faruq school in Jeddah, Prince Faisal bin Abdullah, was pleased to find that the school's syllabus was already planned, books and daily plans had been distributed, students were greeted in a cheerful manner, the school was well-organized, and the classrooms, prayer room, and sports fields were clean and well maintained. The Ministry of Education aims to draw more active participation of students in the education process. Teachers should encourage students to ask questions, learn how to research certain topics on their own by utilizing resources such as school library and the Internet, read more, and perform hands-on experiments. Schools should not only enrich students with information, but also instill in them creative skills and talents.Schools must also impart children knowledge of their religion and the noble Islamic morals and values. The Ministry not only focuses on children, but on teachers as well since a teacher plays the most important role in student's education, productivity and behavior. In Islam, teachers hold a highly esteemed position and must be respected and admired. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, “Almighty, and the angels, and all creatures in the Heavens and in the Earth, even the ant in its hole and the whale in the ocean, praise the teacher who teaches people good things.” To honor the teachers in the Kingdom and to highlight their noble status in the society, the Ministry of Education has termed this academic year as “Teacher's Year”. __
