Jordan Times
Thursday, October 6, 2005
Queen Rania
Distinguished Teacher Award launched
By Mohammad Ghazal
AMMAN — Marking Teachers' Day, His Majesty King Abdullah on Wednesday launched
the Queen Rania Distinguished Teacher Award, seeking to spread the spirit of
competitiveness among the Kingdom's educators.
Joining a workshop of 25 teachers yesterday to discuss the characteristics
necessary to excel in the profession and to set a strategy for success in the
field, Their Majesties King Abdullah and Queen Rania voiced their support for
teachers in the Kingdom.
“I am aware of your circumstances and I support you and I constantly follow up
with the Ministry of Education on how to overcome the challenges and obstacles
you face,” King Abdullah told participants at the workshop.
“It needs more patience, determination and high spirits and we need time to
overcome the impediments but we support you,” he continued.
Among the recommendations issued in the workshop were the desired qualities
distinguished teachers should possess. These included commitment to professional
development, commitment to helping others and the ability to empower students
with critical thinking, leadership and creative skills. A teacher, it was
suggested, should also have the knowledge and skills to inspire students of
varying capabilities.
Workshop participants also discussed the challenges facing teachers, such as
overcrowding in classrooms and the lack of the parental participation in
children's education. Also included were the negative social perception of
teachers and low salaries.
Addressing teachers taking part in the event, Queen Rania told them they had a
sacred mission since they affected the thinking of future generations.
“If someone does something out of love it will be the best, therefore, if
teachers love their profession they will excel and be creative, overcoming all
obstacles,” the Queen said.
Minister of Education and Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research
Khalid Touqan, who also attended the workshop, said the award is important
because when teachers excel, it reflects positively on students and will set a
role model for teachers to compete further.
The award is in appreciation of teachers and their role in improving themselves
and their skills to inspire students to be productive, creative and loyal to
their country.
The award, to be conducted on the governorate and Kingdom level, has two
categories — distinguished teacher and distinguished school.
Touqan said the committee tasked with setting up the award criteria will take
into account the workshop's recommendations and remarks. Brochures, including
instructions on the award, will be distributed to the Kingdom's schools as soon
as the standards are set.
The annual award will be distributed on Teachers' Day, celebrated on Oct. 5 each
year.
“Teachers' Day is the only day when we are appreciated and recognised, but the
award will lift our morale and encourage us to excel and compete, and also
restore our dignity in this profession,” said Yaser Oshush, remarking on the
significance of the award.
Oshush has been teaching social studies in a school in Ghor Al Safi for 13
years.
Buthaynah Sukkar, a history teacher at the Khansa Secondary School, told The
Jordan Times she was happy with the award and Their Majesties' visit. She said
the award reflects their interest in enhancing the status of teachers.
“The award will increase competition between teachers and motivate me to excel,”
said Sukkar.