250,000 classrooms to get Internet access, tablets

Minister of Education Prince Khaled Al-Faisal announced here recently that the ministry is in the process of equipping 250,000 classrooms and teachers with Internet connectivity, computers and tablets as part of a long-term investment in developing a knowledge economy.
Speaking at the launch of the Saudi Conference for Advanced Technologies in Riyadh, Prince Khaled said that Islamic and cultural values are entrenched in the country's education system. However, there was also an intense focus on science and openness to other cultures.
“This proves to the world that Islam encourages progress, to benefit from new and modern developments, as long as they don’t contradict its values,” the prince said.
He highlighted the struggle of the Kingdom’s previous leaders and the current government under Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah to raise the status of Saudi Arabia on par with other G-20 nations.
“Our country rose to this level not only on the back of the oil economy but also because of the wise leaders who used the state’s resources to invest in growing its potential,” he said.
He said the ministry has adopted a strategy to develop public education with an emphasis on science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The recently launched King Abdullah Project for the Development of Education plans to create a modern system to support gifted students.
He said the ministry has adopted curricula in line with international specifications to support independent learning as opposed to rote learning. The strategy also aims to train teachers of science and technology locally and abroad to enrich their experience and teaching methods.
Mohammad Al-Suwaiyel, president of King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, said the national strategy on science, technology and innovation would transform the Kingdom into a knowledge economy. The first stage of the plan is self-accountability and establishing a solid structure for development and research, he said.
Minister of Economy and Planning Mohammad Al-Jasser echoed this view and said that the changes in the education system would be accompanied by an overhaul of some economic policies, with a focus on innovation and investment in advanced technologies.