Saudi Arabia Creates Social Fund for Education Department

Saudi Minister of Education Yousef Al-Benyan
Saudi Minister of Education Yousef Al-Benyan
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Saudi Arabia Creates Social Fund for Education Department

Saudi Minister of Education Yousef Al-Benyan
Saudi Minister of Education Yousef Al-Benyan

Saudi Arabia has announced a social fund for the education department that is aimed at enhancing the professional development of educators and ensuring the sustainability of institutional work in the education sector.

This initiative seeks to bolster the role of teachers by providing professional development opportunities, specialized courses, fostering a nurturing educational environment, and delivering quality services to them.

Saudi Minister of Education Yousef Al-Benyan announced the fund’s establishment within the framework of the integrated relationship between the Ministry of Education and the educational workforce, notably teachers.

He emphasized that the directives of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman are clear when it comes to advancing education in Saudi Arabia and implementing a transformative plan for the education sector to ensure its global excellence and competitiveness.

The initiative acknowledges World Teachers’ Day, which is celebrated annually on Oct. 5.

Al-Benyan clarified that the doors for applying for international scholarships remain open throughout the year, aiming to provide opportunities for Saudis to enroll in global universities through the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Scholarship Program, covering all academic levels and fields of study.

He also mentioned that more than 52,000 scholarship recipients from Saudi Arabia have joined international universities, including specialized fields that contribute to the realization of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.

The minister highlighted the ongoing efforts to enhance the foundations of education in the Kingdom. These efforts align with modern educational approaches and follow the best global practices.

Moreover, Al-Benyan unveiled new curricula which place a strong emphasis on cognitive, skill-based, and behavioral aspects. These curricula encompass subjects such as space science, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and more.

He clarified that some of these courses have already been introduced in the secondary education level in the new academic year.



Saudi-Iraqi Cooperation Thwarts Drug Smuggling Operation

 The drug shipment was intercepted with the assistance of "important information" provided by Saudi's drug enforcement agency. SPA
The drug shipment was intercepted with the assistance of "important information" provided by Saudi's drug enforcement agency. SPA
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Saudi-Iraqi Cooperation Thwarts Drug Smuggling Operation

 The drug shipment was intercepted with the assistance of "important information" provided by Saudi's drug enforcement agency. SPA
The drug shipment was intercepted with the assistance of "important information" provided by Saudi's drug enforcement agency. SPA

Iraq's security forces have seized an estimated 1.1 ton of captagon pills hidden inside a truck that entered Iraq from Syria via Türkiye, the Interior Ministry said on Sunday.

The drug shipment, the largest ever seized in Iraq, was tracked and intercepted with the assistance of "important information" provided by Saudi's drug enforcement agency, the Interior Ministry spokesperson Brigadier Muqdad Meri said in a televised statement.

Saudi Arabia said it contributed to thwarting an attempt to smuggle seven million amphetamine pills into Iraq, according to a statement by ministry security spokesman Colonel Talal bin Abdul Mohsen bin Shalhoub.
Through proactive security monitoring of criminal networks involved in drug trafficking, the General Directorate of Narcotics Control provided intelligence to its Iraqi counterpart, leading to the interception of the illicit shipment. The drugs were concealed within a consignment of children's toys and ironing boards.
Shalhoub praised the close cooperation between Saudi and Iraqi authorities in combating drug smuggling.

He reiterated the Kingdom’s commitment to tracking and dismantling criminal operations involved in narcotics production and trafficking, in collaboration with counterpart agencies in brotherly and friendly countries.