HM the King honours Bahrain First, NAC festival organisers

Manama, Mar. 9 (BNA): His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa received at the Al-Sakhir Palace today the Education Minister Dr. Majid bin Ali Al-Nuaimi, who introduced to him a number of organisers of the Bahrain First and the National Action Charter (NAC) Anniversary festivals. After some Holy Quran verses were recited, HM King Hamad delivered a keynote speech. HM the King expressed thanks and appreciation to all the affiliates of the Education Ministry, including officials, teachers and students, for their initiatives and activities to celebrate the kingdom's national days through the annual "Bahrain First" Festival and the "National Action Charter" Anniversary celebrations. "We were pleased to share the joy of national days with our sons and daughters, and to see their sincere expression of love, belonging and loyalty to Bahrain," HM the King said. "We have followed up with appreciation the students' contributions which showed national loyalty and reflected the efforts exerted by our educational institutions in shaping up the culture of national belonging and helping our generations to translate their love to their nation into responsible actions with awareness of their national duties," HM the King added. "Such efforts must continue through specialised educational plans and programmes with focus on our cultural heritage stemming from our rich civilisation of our Arab surrounding to confirm the principles of our religion, which calls for tolerance and moderation, develop the national culture and reinforce the values of positive citizenship in theory and practice," HM King Hamad also said. "We would like to emphasise the size and the magnitude of the responsibility shouldered by the educational staff in carrying the message of knowledge and conveying it with pure patriotism to immunise the students' against extremist, intellectual and sectarian bias, deepen their sense of social responsibility and empower them to preserve and respect the rights of their homeland," HM the King added, valuing highly the efforts of the Education Minister and his work team to implement the royal directives to develop the educational system and curricula. HM King Hamad also issued directives to activate the "King Hamad" Library through making its scientific and intellectual resources accessible to researchers in order for it to contribute to the scientific and intellectual production and activity in the world and the region in line with the royal vision on its role and status. Then, the Education Minister delivered a statement in which he extended, on behalf of all the Education Ministry's affiliates, deep thanks and gratitude to HM King Hamad for honouring the organisers of the Bahrain First and National Action Charter Anniversary festivals in which thousands of students from public and private institutions participated. He stressed that the royal honouring indicates HM the King's unlimited support to the education process in the kingdom, and care for the younger generations. He affirmed the Ministry's unwavering commitment to implementing the royal directives to further develop education in the Kingdom, as the best means to advance human resources and build a brighter future for the nation. He highlighted the giant strides made by the kingdom in the education field during HM King Hamad's prosperous era, stressing that Bahrain had completed the alphabetical illiteracy programme, launched the digital literacy programme and ensured education for all. The minister paid tribute to His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Premier, for their support and constant follow-up. He also commended the efforts of the Deputy Premier and President of the Supreme Council for the Development of Education and Training Shaikh Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khalifa to upgrade the output of the educational process in the kingdom. After that, Students Aamna Al-Busmate and Nasser Al-Qassab read a poem composed by Teacher Aqeel Jaffar. HM King Hamad was presented by a commemorative gift from the Minister of Education. HM the King then held a lunch banquet in honour of the organisers of Bahrain First Festival and National Action Charter Anniversary festivals.