Distance learning is here to stay, Saudi education minister says

Saudi Minister of Education Dr. Hamad Al-Sheikh speaks at the media briefing on The Education Continuity in Times of Crises at the International Media Center in Riyadh. (Ashar q Al-Awsat)
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Updated 23 November 2020
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Distance learning is here to stay, Saudi education minister says

  • Al-Sheikh said blended education — the combination of online and physical learning — has become the new norm because of COVID-19

DUBAI: The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has pushed the education industry online, with countries scrambling to implement distance learning initiatives.

But as the world moves closer to ending the pandemic, will education go back to its traditional setup? Saudi Minister of Education Hamad Al-Sheikh doesn’t think so.

Speaking at a media briefing on the last day of the Group of Twenty (G20) Summit in Riyadh, Al-Sheikh said blended education — the combination of online and physical learning — has become the new norm because of COVID-19.

“It is going to be the beginning of a new era in education, where blended education is the norm,” the minister said, adding a single method approach was becoming the exception.

“The concept of distance learning as a ‘subproduct’ in the past has changed now because of COVID-19 — the crisis created an opportunity,” he said.

The minister added the changes had also brought to light other issues within the education sector, including the length in which students take to finish programs.

“The 12-year-ladder could be different,” he said, explaining the flexibility of distance learning.

HIGHLIGHT

In Saudi Arabia, schools were shut down as early as March, in a government move to prioritize the health of its citizens. Since then, the Kingdom has thought of ways to continue education at home, which led to an e-learning portal called Madrasati.

The prejudice against online education would disappear, Al-Sheikh added, as the world continues to adapt new learning strategies.

He said this “new normal” had also seen a shift in emphasis on learning outcomes, as opposed to giving too much attention to the method.

But Al-Sheikh recognized the challenges of managing distance learning programs, which he said needed “good governance in order to work.”

He explained different countries had different resources, which was a challenge, particularly at the onset of the pandemic.

In Saudi Arabia, schools were shut down as early as March, in a government move to prioritize the health of its citizens. Since then, the Kingdom has thought of ways to continue education at home, which led to an e-learning portal called Madrasati.

The free platform, which launched in August, facilitates students’ evaluation and communication between teachers and students as well as their parents. 

Al-Sheikh lauded the G20 education working group for its agile response to the pandemic.


Parliamentary Foreign Vice-Minister Matsumoto to visit Saudi Arabia, Jordan

Updated 5 sec ago
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Parliamentary Foreign Vice-Minister Matsumoto to visit Saudi Arabia, Jordan

TOKYO: Japan’s Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Matsumoto Hisashi will visit the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Jordan from Jan. 11 to 15, the foreign ministry said on Friday.

During the visit, Matsumoto is scheduled to exchange views with government officials of Saudi Arabia and Jordan on bilateral relations as well as regional and international situations.

Matsumoto is scheduled to arrive in Riyadh on Jan. 12, according to the ministry.

A version of this article appeared on Arab News Japan


Thousands in Lebanon benefit from KSrelief healthcare services

Updated 10 January 2025
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Thousands in Lebanon benefit from KSrelief healthcare services

RIYADH: A project by Saudi aid agency KSrelief to improve healthcare services for Syrian refugees and their host community in Bebnine, Akkar Governorate, has continued in Lebanon.

Some 2,689 patients were seen at the Akkar-Bebnine Health Care Center in December with 6,194 services provided under pharmacy, laboratory, nursing, community and psychological health programs.

Of the total number of patients, 68 percent were women and 51 percent were refugees, reported the Saudi Press Agency.


Saudi Arabia’s KSrelief continues aid work in new year

Updated 10 January 2025
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Saudi Arabia’s KSrelief continues aid work in new year

  • The work reflects Saudi Arabia's ongoing commitment through KSrelief to help those most in need

RIYADH: The Kingdom’s aid agency KSrelief has continued its humanitarian work at the start of 2025, the Saudi Press Agency reported recently.

In Syria, 892 families received food aid and health kits in the Afrin and Aleppo governorates of the war-torn country, benefiting 5,352 individuals.

The agency also distributed bags of flour, winter kits, and personal-care bags to 211 families in Syria’s Al-Rastan area, benefitting 968 individuals.

In Syria’s Rural Damascus governorate, KSrelief distributed bags of flour, food aid, personal-care bags, and shelter kits to 164 families.

In Pakistan, there were 2,821 food parcels, benefiting 18,638 people, distributed in the Bahawalnagar and Rahim Yar Khan areas of Punjab province, and the Hingol area in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

KSrelief also distributed 1,082 clothing vouchers to families in Palestinian refugee camps in Jordan’s Amman, Zarqa and Balqa governorates.


Saudi Museum of Contemporary Art to host ‘Manga Hokusai Manga’ exhibition

Updated 10 January 2025
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Saudi Museum of Contemporary Art to host ‘Manga Hokusai Manga’ exhibition

  • Exhibition is homage to renowned Japanese artist Katsushika Hokusai

The much-anticipated “Manga Hokusai Manga” exhibition will be held at the Saudi Arabia Museum of Contemporary Art in JAX Diriyah from Jan. 15 to Feb. 8.

Held in collaboration with the Embassy of Japan and the Japan Foundation, the exhibition, ratified by the Kingdom’s Museums Commission, will showcase the works of the renowned Japanese artist Katsushika Hokusai.

It will highlight the history and evolution of manga, and provide a perspective on how Hokusai’s classical illustrations have influenced modern visual arts, the Saudi Press Agency reported recently.

Hokusai published his first collection of art in 1814, featuring sketches of “daily life, landscapes and whimsical creatures,” according to a post on X by the museum.

The Saudi Arabia Museum of Contemporary Art aims to foster cultural exchange between local and international creators.

This article originally appeared on Arab News Japan


Kingdom readies itself for 3 days of rain and high winds

Updated 10 January 2025
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Kingdom readies itself for 3 days of rain and high winds

  • Warning of high waves along the Kingdom’s coastlines

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia is bracing itself for rainfall across most parts of the Kingdom over the next three days after the National Center for Meteorology issues warnings on Thursday.

In a weather bulletin, the NCM warned of downpours accompanied by winds of up to 60 kph, and the possibility of torrential rain and hail. High waves are expected along the nation’s coastlines.

The regions of Al-Jouf, the Northern Borders, and Hail will have rainy conditions on Friday and Saturday.

On Friday, rain is expected in the Tabuk and Madinah regions; on Saturday and Sunday in the Eastern Province, Asir and Jazan; and on Saturday in Qassim.

For the Riyadh and Al-Baha regions, rain is expected from Friday to Sunday.

The NCM urged the public to stay updated on the weather conditions in the Kingdom by checking the daily reports on its website, the Anwaa application, or its social media accounts.