Under the auspices of the Saudi Education Minister, Dr. Ahmed Al-Issa, and on the occasion of Teachers’ World Day, RCQE organized a symposium on “the Role of Teacher for Fighting Terrorism”. The symposium was held on Wednesday 5/10/2016 at RCQE premises.
The symposium included three sessions: the first one addressed the role of teacher for rooting values and fighting extremist ideas, the second session handled the national responsibility and the effect of the teacher for rooting the citizenship concept among students, while the third session focused on teacher professionalism and his national and security sense.
All participants agreed upon the necessity of enhancing teachers’ role and participation in fighting role through providing them with suitable tools, capacities and skills that cope with the current worldwide changes. They highlighted that values such as loyalty, belonging, pride of the country should be boosted. Also, values such as moderation, patriotism, and renouncing violence and extremism should be rooted in student culture.
The first session was administrated by Dr. Norah Alshaaban. The speakers were his Excellency Dr. Hamad Al Alshikh, the former deputy education Minister, His Excellency Dr. Mohamed Aloqla, the former president of the Islamic University, and Dr. Othman Alsediqy. The Senior Advisor at the General Administration of Ideological Security. They all highlighted the importance of tolerance, moderation, and team work. They added that the teachers cannot solely assume the responsibility of fighting terrorism as the family, schools, and ministry should assist them to perform this role appropriately.
The Second session was administrated by the media figure, Mr. Abd Alaziz Aleid. The speakers included Dr. Husam Zaman, RCQE Director General and the president of Al-Taif University, Dr. Aziza AlMane’, Faculty staff at King Saud University, and Mr. Edrees Aldrees, Journlaist and media advisor. Dr. Zaman classified the national responsibly into three classes: citizenship education; participation, and reevaluating the education process. While other speakers pointed out to the invasion of the foreign cultures through international schools and the lack of citizens’ awareness of their cultures and history.
The third session was administrated by the official speaker of education ministry, Mr. Mubarak Alosimy. The speakers were His Excellency Dr. Abdulsalam Aljofy, the former Yemini education Minister, Dr. Fawziyah Al-Bakr, Faculty staff at King Saud University, and Dr. Naiaf Al-Gabry, the Dean of Education Faculty at Taibah University. They highlighted several important issues including the importance of granting the autonomy to schools financially and administratively and the necessity of rephrasing the definition of teacher and enhancing teacher improvement tools. In addition, the main professional characteristics of teachers were addressed.
At the end of the symposium, Badges of honor were granted to the speakers. Moreover, Dr. Husam Zaman expressed his gratitude to all attendees and assured that all ideas and views presented in the symposium will be written in a report and submitted to decision and policy makers.
