Saudi Gazette Almost 100 schools across the Kingdom have opened in the evening for parents and students who wish to participate in social, sports, literary or entertainment events. The Ministry of Education has designed a new program called Neighborhood Centers, which transforms schools into community centers each day after school. The community centers provide a safe and pleasant place for youngsters and parents to convene, meet other members of the community, learn something new, and exercise. This program was established in compliance with the wishes of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah, to develop and improve the schools and educational services in the Kingdom. Hopes are high for this new project as the Ministry of Education has selected only 100 large government school buildings in different regions of the Kingdom to host the Neighborhood Centers. Some of the proposed activities are recreational games, tutoring sessions, educational activities, art classes, skills development, and social gatherings. Courses in computer software, drama and acting, arts, and English language will also be offered. Computers with Internet access and the books, magazines, and newspapers in the school library will also be available for all registered members. The media director of the Directorate General of Education in Al-Taif, Abdullah Al-Zahrani, said that the new project has created 10 community centers for boys and five for girls in Al-Taif region. Al-Zahrani further added that the Directorate General of Education has nominated highly qualified teachers and administrators to run the various clubs which will be open from 4:00P.M. — 10:00P.M. during the weekdays. __
