Queen Rania Inspects Madrasati Progress in Southern Jordan

(Office of Her Majesty, Press Department- Amman) – Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah visited today two Madrasati schools in Al Ghor Al Safi in southern Jordan to inspect their progress after completion of contraction and refurbishment work. The Ghor Al Safi residents lined the streets in celebration, welcoming Her Majesty to their schools.

Her Majesty checked on Al Ghor Al Safi School for Girls, a Madrasati phase III school where construction has finished and post construction programmes have commenced. Her Majesty toured the school accompanied by Madrasati Director, Ms. Danah Dajani, and the school principal Ms. Zeinat Majali, who briefed the Queen on the changes that took place in the school, with the help of Madarasti and their partners such as the Queen Rania Teachers Academy (QRTA), the Jordan Education Initiative (JEI), UNICEF, the Jordan River Foundation (JRF) and The Royal Health Awareness Society (RHAS).

Throughout the visit Her Majesty stressed the importance of arts and drama classes, which provide the student with a creative outlet, and enhance the educational environment. Her Majesty added that such classes reflect positively on teaching skills, and guarantee elevation of the students’ academic achievement.

Her Majesty met with six teachers, to discuss and assess the success of the QRTA programs in the school. Ms. Hala Al Taher from the Academy facilitated the discussion, and briefed Her Majesty on the work they’re accomplished.

Queen Rania also had a brief discussion with a group of grade nine students, on the types of programs they would like see implemented in their school.

In the computer lab, a JEI representative, Faris Karsheh, presented to the Queen the initiative’s future plans in the south and their partnership with Madrasati. Their plans focus on introducing technology into the class room, and making it readily available for the students to enhance their learning experience and their IT skills.

During Her visit to the area, Her Majesty also visited the Um Al Hasheem Secondary School, a non-Madrasati School, which was twinned with Al Ghor Al Safi School for Girls, to increase the sphere of influence of the Madrasati programs. Her Majesty checked on the volunteer programs that are currently taking place in the school.

Through the “Take My Hand” initiative, volunteers from the Jordan River Foundation conducted tutoring sessions during the summer holidays for 11th grade students; with the aim of preparing them for 12th Grade.

Three Volunteers, a teacher and two students presented the idea behind the initiative to Her Majesty and what they have accomplished to date. The students told the Queen that the tutoring has provided them with a better academic foundation for their last year of secondary education.

The school has achieved a “healthy school” rating under the Healthy Schools Accreditation Program designed by the Royal Health Awareness Society (RHAS). Her Majesty witnessed firsthand a First Aid health session with RHAS in one of the classrooms.

Launched last April, the third phase of Madrasati in the south includes 96 schools, selected in coordination with the Ministry of Education. The schools are located across Tafileh, Karak, Ma’an and Aqaba.

Construction and refurbishment work is complete in approximately 85 of the schools. The remaining 15 will be completed by mid November.