The 10 most admired schools in saudi arabia

www.theknowledgereview.com
10Most
Admired
Schools
in
Saudi Arabia
Education In-Focus
The Land of Black Gold – A Paradise
of Educational Opportunities
Education Highlights
Trends Driving the
Transformation of K-12 Education
October 2021
|
Issue - 02
The

EDITOR’S
NOTE
S
audi Arabia is not only recognized for its
signiﬁcant stock of natural resources, including
oil, gas, and minerals, but it also pays equal
attention to education, research, science, and
technology. The country believes that education is
essential for social and economic transformation. It
has always focused on uplifting the educational
system by introducing new education programs.
Accordingly, Saudi Arabia has established numerous
universities, schools, and technical institutes, which
deliver excellent educational facilities, while
providing equal opportunity to each student to learn,
grow, and build a bright career for themselves.
The most prominent schools of Saudi Arabia adopt the
best curriculum designed for the students’ overall
development. They employ a research-oriented
SAUDI ARABIA -
TREASURING THE
GEMS OF ACADEMIC
AND CAREER
EXCELLENCE

approach and a career-focused procedure, which help
students take on stiff professional arena challenges.
These schools assist the students in developing their
personality, which helps the students perform or speak
in public without any hesitation.
With cutting-edge technology, these schools deliver
lasting learning experiences. They help the students
become better versions of themselves so that they can
overcome every obstacle and transform it into better
opportunities. With a focus on academic excellence,
these noteworthy schools leave no stone unturned to
deliver the best classroom sessions.
These schools nurture the talents of the students and
help them to stand tall on the extra-curricular front.
They believe in equality and give every student a
chance to explore their potential and learn something
new. With an emphasis on the future, these admired
schools assist the students to sharpen their skills,
which would help them make a mark for themselves
in the times to come.
These leading schools possess all the credentials to
offer top-notch education facilities. They are endowed
with well-qualified teachers, a career-focused and
personalized approach, and excellent infrastructural
facilities, which are, in turn, focused on building a
bright career pathway for every student.
Hence, to celebrate the achievements of the renowned
schools in Saudi Arabia, The Knowledge Review
presents to you its brand-new issue, The Most
Admired Schools in Saudi Arabia, 2021. To know
more about these renowned schools, flip through the
pages. T R
Ananda Kamal Das
ananda@insightssuccess.com
Ananda Kamal Das

Al Faris
International
School
Nurturing Creative
and Independent
Global Leaders of
Tomorrow
Trends Driving the
Transformation of K-12 Education
08
Jeddah
International
School
14
Creating Global
Citizens through
American, French
Baccalaureate,
and International
Curriculum-based
Education
New World
International
School
26
The Training
Ground for
Future World
Changers
A r t i c l e
18

Education In-Focus
The Land of Black Gold – A Paradise
of Educational Opportunities
Offering Quality
Education,
Stimulating
Holistic Growth
Nobles
International
School
36
22
Compassion
in Education
A r t i c l e
C O N T E N T S
The Viral
Kids
34
C X O
Maven’s
Opinions
Social Media
and the new
generations
30

People behind this edition
Editor-in-Chief Sumita Sarkar
Senior Editor
Managing Editor
Anish Miller
Art & Design Head
Visualiser
Co-designer
Art Picture Editor
&
Priyanka Rajage
David King
Paul Belin
Rahul Shinde
Business Development Executive
Business Development Manager
Marketing Manager
Olivia Wood, John Mathew,
Amy Wilson
Phill Miller
Mary D'souza
Digital Marketing Manager
Technical Consultants
Technical Head
Assistant Technical Head
Alina Sege
Amar, David, Robert
Jacob Smile
Prachi mokashi
SME-SMO Executives
Assistant Marketing Manager
Digital
Circulation Manager
Research Analyst
Tanaji
Eric Smith
Atul, Gemson
Amol Wadekar
sales@insightssuccess.com
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Ananda Kamal Das
OCTOBER, 2021
Abhishaj Sajeev

URL
Name of the Institution Brief
Adhwaa
Multinational Academy
etehaad.edu.sa
The academy aims to provide high-quality
education that delivers a transformative learning
experience
Al Faris
International School
coralschool.edu.sa
Coral International School
isg.edu.sa
Al Faris International School aims to develop
inquiring, knowledgeable, and caring young
people who help to create a better world
Dhahran High School
jischool.org
The school ensures that the students aspire to
their fullest intellectual potential
Etehaad International
School, Jeddah
The school offers high-quality education,
while adopting standardized curricula and
diversied activities
madac.edu.sa
New World
nis-jeddah.com
Nobles
MADAC Schools
JIS aims to prepare 21st century learners to
excel in the global community
The school aspires to be a worldwide leader in
improving children’s lives
The school assists students to become
condent, responsible, and innovative learners
NIS is a premiere educational institution
offering quality education to children
The Learning Caravan
tlc-riyadh.com
TLC provides an ambience where students
thrive and learn efciently
Jeddah Knowledge
newworldschool.com.sa
mnariyadh.com
Coral School aims to instill 21st century skills
among the children, while inspiring them to
become lifelong learners
alfarisschool.com

Al Faris
Education transforms students into future leaders
while unleashing their potential. The leading
schools in Saudi Arabia are taking every step to
ensure overall development of the students and bringing out
the best in them. One such renowned school embracing
innovation and excellence while delivering the best
educational and career development opportunities is Al
Faris International School (FIS).
It is a fully certiﬁed IB World School. It follows the
philosophy and teaching methodology of the IB
Programme, which centers on inquiry-based learning
whereby students actively guide the learning process
We aim to develop
inquiring, knowledgeable,
and caring young people
who help to create a
better and more
peaceful world
Nurturing Creative and Independent Global Leaders of Tomorrow
Oct 2021 | 08 | www.theknowledgereview.com

through inquiry and discovery, reflect on their learning and
translate knowledge into action.
Today's Al Faris International School began as a modest
institution in 2003, offering an American curriculum to 360
enrolled students. The goal of its Owner and Director,
Mrs. Sahar Al Marzouki, was to open new opportunities
for Saudi youth. To this end, she campaigned to ensure
Saudi students’ access to international schools so that they
would benefit from the breadth of global education. In
2011, FIS moved to its new (and current) home, providing
opportunities for improvements, including expanded sports
facilities (indoor and outdoor basketball and soccer courts,
exercise rooms, and two indoor swimming pools); fully
equipped computer and science labs, cafeterias, libraries, art
rooms; outdoor spaces and an auditorium. The curriculum
also continued to grow, and by 2012 FIS was recognized as
one of the top international schools in Riyadh. It is
respected for balancing an American curriculum with
Arabic and Islamic studies and recognized as an educational
trendsetter with the implementation of renowned programs
such as the Daily 5 for Literacy, the Lucy Calkins Writing
Workshop, and classroom technology.
The global search for innovation led to the International
Baccalaureate (IB). In 2014, FIS was recognized as a
candidate for certification of the IB Diploma program.
Candidacy for the Primary Years Program (PYP) and
Middle Years Program (MYP) soon followed, and in 2017,
FIS became a fully accredited IB World School in all three
levels.
Exceptional Leadership
Al Faris International School is the realization of the
childhood dream of Mrs. Sahar. She credits her father, a
writer, for supporting and inspiring her to achieve it. The
school's name and logo, a valiant knight whose weapon is a
pen instead of a sword, is a character from the pages of his
book.
Mrs. Sahar tells the story of her father pointing to light in
the distance and saying, "That is your school." This vision
and personal engagement are what have defined FIS. Mrs.
Sahar was determined to open its doors for both Saudi and
expat youth to achieve their dreams with support and
encouragement, just as she did. To this end, she has been a
pioneer in bringing the best of global education initiatives
to Saudi Arabia.
We develop
intercultural
understanding
and respect among
the students
The 10 Most Admired Schools in Saudi Arabia
www.theknowledgereview.com | 09 | Oct 2021

Mrs. Sahar is an active philanthropist with prominent
involvement in cancer awareness campaigns, environmental
issues, and refugee assistance. She is a global voice for
access to education, notably as a guest at UNESCO's 2019
conference on Children's Right to Quality Education.
A Plethora of Educational Facilities
Al Faris International School emphasizes the academic
development of the students. Its curriculum includes the
core subjects of English, math, sciences, social
studies/history, as well as Arabic, French, computer studies,
robotics, arts, and physical education. Emphasis is on
inquiry and discovery, reﬂecting on what is learned and
using that knowledge for meaningful action. The school's
learning approaches build social and emotional skills,
college, and career-ready skills, and enhance problem-
solving abilities.
Going Beyond Academics
Al Faris oﬀers after-school activities for students as well as
activities open to the community through the Al Faris
Academy. These include a variety of sports as well as clubs
for visual arts, reading, science, robotics, research, and
creative writing. High school students can participate in the
Model United Nations club. Students of all ages participate
in various events during the school year, including cancer
awareness, carnivals, themed activity days, talent shows,
and community outreach projects.
Preparing Students for a Promising Career
In line with the Kingdom's Vision 2030 and its emphasis on
global outreach, a key component of the school's program is
developing a sense of shared responsibility to utilize
knowledge to address both community and global issues
with innovation and respect for diverse ways of life and
opinions. Al Faris' ultimate goal is not simply to impart
facts to the students but to develop a love of learning
through curiosity, discussion, and exploration. It aims to
show them the methods and tools to discover their answers
as life-long learners after formal education. In doing so, the
school does not leave behind its own cherished culture and
heritage. "Indeed, it acts as a launchpad for our students to
be active and ethical global citizens ready to contribute
their unique perspectives on the issues of our time,"
expresses the management. The organization and execution
of conferences, events, and charity drives are student-led,
We encourage students
across the world to become
active, compassionate, and
lifelong learners

teaching them valuable planning, management, networking,
and promotion skills.
Achievements in Abundance
Al Faris has achieved noteworthy landmarks throughout its
journey of imparting excellent educational facilities. It is a
fully certified IB World School and is accredited by Cognia.
In 2019, FIS students were selected by the Ministry of
Education to represent Saudi Arabia in the IEA Trends in
International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS). The
school has conducted a student-led organization and has
hosted the "Heal the World Conference" addressing the UN
Global Goals for Sustainability, 2018. Al Faris' Model
United Nations club hosted a student-led 2020 virtual
FARISMUN Conference with 140 attendees.
Since 2016, the school has been running "Helping Refugees
in Jordan," a sustainable project to support refugees living
in Al Azraq, Jordan. Grade 11 and 12 students procure and
take donated supplies, assist in infrastructure improvement
projects, and help local schools. The project was published
in the special magazine distributed at the IB Global
Conference in Hong Kong, March 2019. It was also a
semi-finalist in the international UN Global Social Leaders
(GSL) Global Goals competition.
Tackling the Pandemic Challenge
Covid-19 has disrupted the smooth operations of every
industry. With the onset of the pandemic, every industry
had to shift its operations from offline mode to the online
arena. Fortunately, FIS experienced a relatively smooth
transition to the sudden shift to online learning in 2020 as
its teachers and students had already been using the
Edmodo Connected Classroom, which enabled them to
continue with assignments and communication.
It had worked to establish video classes on its current
platform, Microsoft Teams. The beginning of the academic
year 2021-22 has been a challenge to balance online
learning with in-person classes, as only fully vaccinated
high school students were allowed to attend school. FIS has
adjusted its class sizes and maintained social distancing
with creative use of space. Engaging visual reminders about
good health practices have been placed throughout the
school. It has effectively used its government app,
Tawakalna, to monitor the vaccination status of all those
entering the school and used its PDF health passport to
admit vaccinated students back to campus when they
become eligible.
Steps towards the Future
With its unwavering dedication towards achieving academic
excellence, FIS has proven that it is not static. In the future,
it plans to look to an ever-changing horizon and asking,
"How can we do better?"
This academic year, the school intends to launch a new
student management system accessible online or through a
mobile app. It features a convenient messaging platform,
classroom management, access to academic reports, and a
student dismissal calling system.
FIS is actively planning the construction of a new school
building in Riyadh which will feature innovative indoor and
outdoor spaces. It hopes to expand its outreach and bring
the Al Faris educational experience to other cities in the
Kingdom.
Our objective is
to provide incomparable,
yet affordable education
of the highest standards,
in a safe and motivating
environment

.

of
K-12
Education
lectures, online assessments, and virtual classroom
teaching, while maintaining traditional learning
methods like textbooks altogether.
As a result, most of the schools are currently working
to implement this program with enhanced methods by
improving their connectivity and infrastructure to
accommodate this trend. No school wants to be left
behind, especially for a virtual learning platform which
is an effect of modernisation and the evolution of
technology.
To illustrate, an intelligent solution is to link printed
textbooks to audio-visual content. In addition, it can be
accessed with the digital smart boards with the online
assessment components.
In the field of education, changes are expected to
happen because of its dynamic nature that is dependent
on many components from the upgrades of technology.
Owing to the COVID-19 pandemic, the education sector
has experienced numerous changes with trends and their
uncountable benefits for students, teachers, and parents.
These changes have the capacity to influence the
perspective towards the acquisition of knowledge and
learning outcomes. As the pandemic crisis continues, these
are the trends driving the transformation of K-12 education
in different institutes:
1. Incorporation of multilingual learning solutions
Modern education is not completely digital, but
integrated learning solutions are an important part of
school e-Learning. The integration of these solutions
aims to give optimal digital platforms, like online
Trends
Driving the
TRANSFO A
TION
R

instructions that help them to finish their academics
with better competency levels.
New software and applications are making it easier for
the students who are facing difficulties while
understanding the concepts. This gives them an
opportunity to surpass the limitations of the traditional
learning methods.
3. The advantage of the internet of things (IOT)
The internet of things has been a popular topic in the
field of education because of the digital transformation
which is not just anticipated by the students, but by
teachers and school administrations as well. The IOT
has made it significantly effortless to create a structure
of daily school activities.
Also, with the help of the internet, the parents and
students can track the real-time progress and the
pending assignments on the school dashboard. They can
also use the internet to provide the study material
required to help boost studies.
4. Accumulation of formative assessment solutions
Before the digital transformation, assessments consisted
of pen and paper, and it was the only way to check the
results or to understand the progress. The significance
of learning outcomes matters a lot these days, which is
why formative assessment solutions are being utilized
as these tests are considered as low productive in the
digital period. Students are now preparing for their
academics with formative assessments like
presentations, projects, and activities. These methods
are dynamically delivering the goals of the curriculum,
which benefits all the students, leading them to develop
a skillset and produce better results in their academic
studies.
Persistence of K-12 education
It has become a lot more convenient to provide online
education through the electronic gadgets which are
available to the students. The fusion of digital education
with traditional methods is delivering better results with the
modern digital classroom and currently available resources.
The proper utilization of these positive elements is creating
better educators, methods, and programs that are assisting
educational institutions to prepare better leaders for the
future.
In the current scenario of the education industry, all of
these are working together intending to provide
maximum benefits and improve learning outcomes.
1. Utilizing Augmented Reality (AR) for better
comprehension
Research indicates that students can retain information
properly when they can grasp the knowledge with the
accessible enhancements that are currently happening
on the e-Learning platforms.
Retaining the information has drastically improved as
schools are not just relying on textbooks anymore. They
are implementing the use of audio-video materials and
engaging activities by which the students can stimulate
their imagination. This is one of the main reasons why
schools are increasingly opting for AR for their class
syllabus.
With this innovation in technology, students not just
see, but experience the subject with in-depth
knowledge. It helps the students to comprehend the
concept as teachers can provide them with numerous
personalized options to understand complex and
complicated concepts effortlessly. As a result, students
can understand the concepts with less amount of time
required for proficiency.
Knowledge retention has taken up a new notch with
these innovative learning methods, as students can
understand the concept with the in-depth fundamentals
which is provided by the textbooks and practical
knowledge which AR is currently providing.
2. Advancing personalized learning modules
The outbreak of the pandemic allowed the students to
continue their learning with the help of distance
learning options. As a result, they can attend their
lectures with whatever devices or gadgets that are
available with them without any timing constraints.
These factors are transforming the learning processes
and the delivery of the educational goals, as students
can learn without any barriers, and they are leveraging
their strengths and completely overcoming their
weaknesses.
This is a radical and a momentous change for the
students as they have a new opportunity to learn in their
own personal space. They also have an advantage as
new platforms are providing them with personalized
- Abhishek Joshi

academic achievements of its children as well as truly
realising each individual child’s learning and growth
potential and maximising it. A school also takes the time to
carefully hire, train and motivate its teaching as well as
non-teaching staff. This defines a traditional school
education, where learning takes place in an interactive and
hands-on environment.
Due to the pandemic, there has been a necessary shift of
focus from an all-around educational experience to a core
learning focus. The education experience has had to evolve
very quickly to deliver the core requirements of learning,
and while this change has been both practical and neces-
sary, it is in no way a substitute to traditional classroom
learning at school.
In a traditional school environment, children learn from one
another while working collaboratively and solving prob-
lems. The in-classroom interaction allows the children to
follow instructions, view demonstrations, actively partici-
pate in practical experiments, and draw inspiration and
Millennials and Gen Z are driving the use of
social media for communication, sharing
information and connecting with one another.
Social media and digital technology are integrated into
nearly all aspects of their lives. “To be?” or “not to be?”,
and sometimes, “how much to be?” are the challenges faced
by the new generations. The balance between reality and
their social media image is tipped and its influence on
lifestyle and behaviour is more prevalent. While social
media and digital technology are integrated into nearly all
aspects of their lives, it is extremely important for the new
generations to safeguard themselves and to learn about the
ethics and responsibility of using and sharing information
on such public platforms.
Can online learning ever replace traditional classroom
learning?
A successful school is defined by the learning environment
it creates and by the educational experiences it provides to
its children. As an institution, a school prides itself on the
media
and
the new
generations
Social

Shobha Anand
Director
New World
The Viral Kids
Being an expat and a mother of young children in the
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Shobha Anand wanted to give her children
the best education possible back in the 1980s. That’s when she
established the ﬁrst Kindergarten School in the Eastern Province. It’s
been a wonderful journey of growth, with the kindergarten growing
into a fully accredited primary and secondary school. In her inspiring
journey, she has seen the education sector adapt to new and modern
strategies and methods of teaching constantly. Ms Anand is very happy
with the way the New World International School family has grown into
a successful and well-reputed institution and looks forward to seeing
her students reach their own individual successes.
About the Author

focus from the classroom environment around them. In a
traditional classroom, a teacher is able to drive learning,
make an assessment of the knowledge retained by the
children and focus his or her energy in delivering a lesson
that is best suited to the class. The presence of the teacher
and peers validates and encourages learning with face-to-
face interaction, which is not possible with pre-recorded
videos or online live instruction, where cameras may be off
or microphones have been muted.
Online learning has tried very hard to mimic a traditional
classroom with tools and applications to support the
delivery of lessons, communication via school portals, and
interactions through classroom chats and break out rooms.
This helps children feel that they are participating in a
regular school day, at regular school hours, while follow-
ing a regular school timetable. Accessing Zoom links,
uploading classwork and homework to Google Classroom
are a few skills mastered by students over the last aca-
demic year. This shift in learning style has definitely been
successful in filling the gap of in-person learning in a
school classroom. However, it lacks the ability to provide
an all rounded-holistic educational experience that is
needed to shape and nurture young minds.
A school curriculum is designed keeping all educational
needs in mind. It incorporates a balance between ‘core’
learning subjects such as Math, English, Science, etc. as
well as PE, Art & Craft, Library and other holistic learning
areas. At school, each child is recognised as being unique,
with his or her own strengths and learning capacities.
Children are encouraged to be leaders in areas of their
individual strengths, and at the same time are motivated to
participate in activities outside their comfort zone rather
than ‘hiding behind a camera’ or excusing themselves with
internet glitch issues. The social and emotional develop-
ment aspect of learning as well as an overall understanding
of the world is built into the school curriculum, which is
difficult to achieve when sitting alone in front of a device
screen. Learning at school allows dedicated time and
supervision of all areas of the curriculum, and a face-to-
face individually-tailored mentoring program where
required.
Classroom design incorporates spatial arrangements such
as tables and chairs flexible for collaborative or individual-
istic learning, decorated school boards with ‘words for the
week’, key concept posters, house point boards or student
work displayed on boards. All these elements of curriculum
and design allow a classroom to serve as a stimulating
learning environment where all learning goals can be met.
Traditional school classrooms do come with their own
challenges, some of which are mitigated in an online
environment. Teachers are able to use the “mute micro-
phone” functions to maintain discipline while conducting
their lessons virtually and pre-recorded or recorded live
lessons are uploaded to the school portal and can be re-
visited at any time by the child. This helps when children
tend to zone out or lose focus or display disruptive behav-
iour in a classroom. However, these challenges are
addressed through professional development training that
the teachers undergo at school. These training programs are
hands-on practical sessions held in person, on the school
premises, with professional trainers conducting 2–3-day
workshops focusing on topics such as student engagement,
student motivation, and differential learning in a classroom.
Incorporating these learning and teaching strategies is what
helps make learning more interesting, fun, collaborative and
most importantly helps with knowledge retention.
Research has been conducted on the shift from a traditional
classroom to a virtual one and its impact on children. In
most instances, it has been found that early childhood
education and the primary years have been the most
affected, with a visible drop in children enrolling in online
education as well as a reduced frequency of online lessons
attendance. At the same time, children in their final years of
school have struggled with their fear of being able to
graduate from high school due to new and different ways of
predicted grades and examinations, and the uncertainty of
getting into their desired choice of university.
The usage of technology in education has accelerated very
quickly due to the pandemic. It has brought about increased
usage of digital applications and tools and ensured connec-
tivity and continuity for each child’s education. However,
while the integration of technology in a classroom may
bring about positive changes, it does not hold true for an
only online model of learning to replace the learning and
experiences that form the basis of education in traditional
classrooms.

Al Khobar, located on the
eastern coast of the Kingdom
of Saudi Arabia emanates the
pleasant aura of a seaside heaven
whilst also retaining its standing as the
‘Commercial Heart of Saudi Arabia’.
The city is a beautiful mix of awe-
inspiring architecture, beaches
drenched in tranquillity, bustling
shopping centres, and the world’s
longest causeways. In a nutshell, there
is a lot of fun to be had in Al Khobar.
Of late, the city is also making a name
for itself as a rising educational hub
with foundationally sound colleges, an
extensive higher education network,
and illustrious schools. One such
school in the city which has made a
reputation for itself as a promising,
nurturing, and inspiring learning
environment is the New World
International School.
New World International School
(NWIS) was founded in 2003, based
on the tenets of providing a nurturing
and welcoming elementary school.
Under the leadership of its Director,
Mrs Shobha Anand, NWIS has grown
steadily over the years into a premier
international school in Al Khobar
oﬀering kindergarten (KG) to Grade
12. It is licensed by the Ministry of
Education and is accredited by Cognia,
besides being a registered Cambridge
and Edexcel Centre.
The school now provides education to
2800 students. Housed in a premium
locality, NWIS is a spacious facility
with airy, bright, and well-decorated
classrooms. It has two libraries that are
well stocked with age-appropriate
books which encourage reading for all
students. The four IT labs have updated
technology to deliver their robust
curriculum. The science labs have been
designed in compliance with
Cambridge Assessments requirements.
NWIS is a sparkling school where
cleanliness, safety, and the social and
emotional well-being of its students
and faculty is prioritized. It exudes a
warm, nurturing, and family-like
ambience, where the doors of
communication are always open.
The Training Ground for Future World Changers
New World

The vision and mission statement
provides a roadmap for NWIS through
its educational journey.
Vision Statement
To seek and provide a stimulating and
enriching education to every child and
inculcate a sense of worth and
achievement through teamwork.
Mission Statement
To provide quality education to take
the students towards a brighter future.
NWIS aims to:
Ÿ Lead students to academic
excellence through a well-aligned
curriculum and experienced
faculty members.
Ÿ Foster mutual respect and
understanding in students to fit into
a multicultural environment.
Ÿ Provide a safe, secure, and positive
environment for the students
entrusted in thier care.
Ÿ Develop a child’s initiative, self-
confidence, and responsibility.
All-round Development
The school offers a wide range of
courses and externally validated
examinations, laying the foundation for
lifelong learning. The Cambridge
Checkpoint Exams (Primary) are
conducted in grade 5, 6 and
Checkpoint Secondary is conducted in
grade 7 and continue into IGCSE/AS/A
level completing High School.
It does not take long for visitors to the
school to get a feel of the warmth and
vitality that is so much a part of NWIS
daily journey. The vibrant and rigorous
academic and co-curricular activities,
with outstanding caring educators at
the helm, are designed with a clear
intention for student engagement.
NWIS students take ownership of their
st
learning and will become befitting 21
century citizens armed with skills of
thinking critically, working
collaboratively, effectively
communicating and being creative.
Every Child Matters
“We at NWIS set high expectations for
our students, encouraging them to
excel and raise the bar of excellence,”
remarked the proud Director of NWIS
– Mrs Shobha Anand. “It is our belief
that young students thrive when
engaged and excel when high
expectations are set. Being the author
of their own story helps each student
develop a lifelong love for learning and
self-esteem,” she added.
The school’s belief that ‘Every Child
Matters’ leads it to incorporate best
practices in teaching, have a consistent
professional development programme
for its faculty as well as give equal
importance to the social and emotional
wellness of its students.
New World
International
School envisions
to seek and
provide a
stimulating and
enriching
education to every
child and
inculcate a sense
of worth and
achievement
through teamwork

NWIS traditions build a sense of
community among students and
faculty. Powered with a ‘Growth
Mindset’, the students’ personalities
resonate with positive thinking and
action.
Holistic Growth
The students participate in a lot of
extracurricular and co-curricular
activities that include Public Speaking,
Dramatics, Debating, and Model
United Nations besides bagging the
winning trophies in Basketball,
Football and Cricket. The students are
encouraged to enrol in afterschool
Robotic and Abacus classes which
have been met with a lot of
enthusiasm. Seminars on global, social,
emotional, and physical health issues
are regularly conducted by students as
they take responsibility and advocate
for themselves.
The school’s volunteering program for
the Seniors is a huge success as they
earnestly mentor the youngsters in
their reading, supervising them during
the breaks or helping in the library. The
encouragement and follow up of the
teachers, including the fact that the
student’s input is taken while ﬁnalising
these events ensures maximum
participation.
Bolstering Futures of Next
Generations
NWITIANS are groomed to take on
their role in the future equipped with
the skills of a 21st century learner.
Strategies applied to this end include
blended learning and ﬂipped
classrooms, amongst other things.
Teachers provide relevant websites and
platforms to encourage students to
share their material with the class and
transform classrooms into conducive
learning spaces.
NWIS is proud of its successful
accreditation by Cognia with a high
index of ‘Educational Quality’. The
faculty of NWIS have also made their
educational excellence footprint with
their students topping the Cambridge
Assessments Excellence Awards
consistently for the past eight years, a
feat which has motivated them to raise
the bar to meet global competition.
We at NWIS
set high
expectations for
our students,
encouraging them
to excel and raise
the bar of
excellence. It is
our belief that
young students
thrive when
engaged and
excel when high
expectations are
set

Aspiring to Make a Diﬀerence
“As we commit ourselves to
educational excellence, we wish to see
NWITIANS making their mark in the
global society, putting their Alma
Mater on the world map as a hallmark
of resilience and empowerment,”
commented Mrs Shobha Anand.
“NWIS will do its utmost to give
quality education to all ensuring that its
students have been every opportunity
to have a brighter future. We will help
our students write great stories as they
embark on their future,” concluded the
astute Director of NWIS.
NWIS has a 100% graduation rate as
its students ﬁnd placements in
prestigious colleges all over the world.
Pandemic Times
At the onset of the pandemic, NWIS
quickly adapted to virtual classrooms,
with teachers delivering successful
interactive live lessons online across
all year groups. To ensure safety for all
at NWIS, the management devised its
Reopening Risk Assessment Plan
adhering to all the protective measures
stipulated by the Ministry of Health in
Saudi Arabia.

S
audi Arabia is quite famous for its oil reservoirs. It is
home to the largest oil ﬁelds in the world, which
makes it one of the largest economies in the world.
Since 1930, the economic condition of Saudi Arabia has
subsequently changed. Within a few decades, a desert
nation went on to become one of the major players in the
world economy. One thing that the kingdom of Saudi
Arabia has evolved with time apart from its rich lifestyle is
its education.
Today, the enrolment for boys and girls in primary school is
nearly the same with 99% enrolment and 96.3% for girls,
respectively. Saudi Arabia is always in the international
spotlight for dominance in the global oil market, and in the
last few decades for the educational reforms that it has
brought in its educational system. Saudi Arabia also has a
huge signiﬁcance in the middle east geopolitics and these
Education In-Focus
TheLandof
TheLandof
TheLandof
GOLD
A
A
A Paradise
Paradise
Paradise of
of
of Educational
Educational
Educational

educational reforms, which also turned the land of black
gold into a paradise of educational opportunities brought
significant change in the educational system of other middle
eastern Arab countries.
Here is how the land of black gold turned into the land of
educational opportunities for students.
An education system to synchronise with the oil industry
Despite being an inherently rich country, Saudi Arabia has
brought many reforms into action in its educational history.
Higher education in Saudi Arabia is now aiming to
synchronise its economy with its strong economic hold in
the oil industry. The reforms in the education system have
significantly improved its educational quality and made
education accessible for everyone.
The strong economy also allowed the decision-makers to
invest more in its education system. the visionary king of
Saudi Arabia, Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, now focuses
on internationalising its economy. Today, Saudi Arabia
homes some of the best schools in the middle east and
seven out of its 16 universities are amongst the top 10
universities in the middle east. Private sector jobs and non-
oil related exports are the priority of Saudi Arabia. The
kingdom is right on the trajectory for the post-oil era
starting its journey by bringing all the necessary reforms in
schooling.
The kingdom focuses on prioritizing the home students and
their growth provide to diversify its oil-dependent economy.
The opportunities that lie ahead for the students are
completely skill-based. The modernized school curriculum
emphasizes critical thinking, market-based study, scientific
education and involves computer science and business
administration in the middle, secondary, and tertiary
schooling levels.
Overall development of students from primary to
secondary level of schooling
As a part of building a sustainable educational system,
Saudi Arabia is focusing highly on developing the
infrastructure of its schools and colleges. In 2018, Saudi
Arabia alone built 719 new schools to bring out more jobs
in the upcoming years for the young population.
Despite the modernisation of schools, the traditional study
fields of Saudi Arabia are still preferred. Social sciences,
religious studies, history, and literature are still a part of
Saudi Arabia’s education. Choosing a school for a
youngster in Saudi Arabia has become a much-simplified
process. Ever since the government of Saudi Arabia started
focusing on the improving the country’s education system,
private schools have also got quite a boost and freedom in
their curriculum.
The addition of modern subjects in the syllabus starting
from primary schooling will boost the growth of the
students. Modernization in education with practical-based
learning will prepare the students for a better future. The
schools in Saudi Arabia have included outdoor learning and
sports as part of student development in their schooling
years. With global exposure, the opportunities that will
bring foreign investments will help the students get global
exposure from a very early age.
What does the future hold after schooling?
The development of schools is picking up the pace to keep
up with the world. The government’s focus on bringing
private-sector jobs have allowed the education system to
change rapidly. Since primary education and secondary
education have changed, there has been a drastic
transformation in the curriculum of universities as well.
Today, Saudi Arabia is home to some of the top universities
in the Middle East. With the addition of modern subjects
such as humanities, social science, medicine, pharmacy,
engineering, etc. there is a wide range of courses to choose
from for the students.
Apart from that, the Saudi Arabian government has a
friendly relation with most of the countries in the world.
With this initiative, the government allows scholarships for
its students who wish to pursue higher education in foreign
countries. Despite the fact of global exposure in other
countries, Saudi Arabia is home to many international
students and can be a good opportunity for the students
studying in the country itself.
Saudi Arabia, with the recent education reforms, is home to
some of the most diverse education systems in the world.
The schooling programs are deeply embedded with the
country’s history, culture, religion, modern sciences, and
advanced technologies. Saudi Arabian schools are some of
the best schools in the whole Middle East. With various
vocational education initiatives started by the government,
Saudi Arabia is now one of the best options for the
schooling of children in the Middle East.
- Ashlesh Khadse

check in poll with students at the beginning of the school
day or a more comprehensive school outreach addressing
issues that students may be struggling with and offering
support resources. School personnel cannot be helpful if
they, themselves, are under stress; therefore, anticipating
and understanding the challenges faced by teachers and
giving them adequate resources in curriculum development,
classroom management strategies and general flexibility is
key for school administrators.
Compassion also includes support for our parents through
awareness of the common and individual challenges that
families may be facing in different contexts. The COVID
pandemic and the sudden shift to home-based online classes
saw a huge disruption in children’s learning time and
disruption to the routines of many families. Homes in
which both parents are working and unable to support their
young students during regular school hours has been a
significant problem. It is important for schools to
empathize with their plight and offer creative alternatives
when the need arises, such as flexible hours and enrichment
classes. Many families also face periodic difficulties which
can affect the school attendance and performance of their
students. School administrators should accept this
eventuality and have advance policies in place to
accommodate such situations effectively thus alleviating the
worry about school.
Compassion should be an integral part of the school
curriculum at all levels, and school personnel need to lead
by example. Schools should not only serve as a supportive
environment for learners, but also instill the idea that
students too can be supporters by taking caring and
compassionate actions towards themselves, their
classmates, family and friends, local communities, animals
and their environment.
Maven’s Opinions
The pressures of modern life, including the relentless
promotion of academic and personal achievement
coupled the wealth of opportunities now available
to young people, can often seem overwhelming, causing
youngsters and teens to turn inward as they try to process it
all. Aside from this, young people are also navigating the
normal social, emotional and physical stresses of growing
up, and for some the family/home environment may not be
optimal. To add to it all, we are living in unprecedented
times as we emerge from a global pandemic with all of its
health, economic and social hardships and face sobering
issues such as climate change. Now, more than ever,
compassion needs to be an essential part of the school
experience. What roles does compassion play in education?
The first that comes to mind is support for students,
teachers and parents; but compassion is also ensuring equal
access to a quality education and making it a central part of
school curriculums.
Compassion in schools, first and foremost, includes relief
and reassurance for students and school staff. Teachers,
counselors and school administrators must have an
awareness of and empathy for students of all ages who may
be facing social and emotional challenges that are affecting
their school work and general well-being. This cannot
simply be expected, but must be developed through training
workshops and school policies. Susceptibility to stress is
greater due to the pandemic as young people have spent
more time in relative isolation and on the internet,
increasing opportunity for exposure to negative content and
unhealthy messages. Kids also may have anxiety about
things they hear about in the news or conversation, such as
global warming. Now, more than ever, teachers must be on
the lookout for students in distress, even if not overt, and
approach the situation with compassion and empathy. This
can be something as simple as the teacher conducting a
Compassion
Education
in

Mrs Sahar Al Marzouki
Owner-Director
Mrs Sahar Al Marzouki is the Owner-Director of Al Faris International
School. She credits her father, a writer, for supporting and inspiring her to achieve
her goals throughout her illustrious career. The school’s name and logo, a valiant knight whose
weapon is a pen instead of a sword, is a character from the pages of his book.
About the Author
Compassion can be referred to in lessons and activities of
any subject. History and social studies can emphasize
understanding and tolerance of various points of view and
ways of life, sciences can focus on ensuring our good health
and that of our environment, art can make a compassionate
statement. Compassionate actions can be part of class
Essential Agreements drafted with student input, and
teachers can model and remind students of the
compassionate approach as various situations arise. Visits
and volunteer opportunities can be planned with a variety of
community organizations working with disadvantaged
people, orphans, the elderly, those with disabilities, animal
welfare or environmental issues, giving our young people
the chance to become aware and educated about problems
and experiences which generally may not be a part of their
everyday life and how they can best respond and take
further action to help.
High school students at Al Faris International School have
been involved in the “Helping Refugees in Jordan” project
since 2016, making trips to Azraq, Jordan to distribute
supplies, help in infrastructure improvement and interact
with children at the local school. Involved students have
come away profoundly moved through direct experience
with a situation that most are only reading about in the
news.
This brings us to the ﬁnal role of compassion in schools,
which is awareness of the value and privilege of a high
quality education and the importance of extending the gift
of knowledge to all with equal access opportunities. Al
Faris International School was founded with the goal of
providing Saudi students equal access, along with expats,
to a well-rounded international education. Today
approximately 70 percent of its student body in Saudi is
receiving the opportunity of a global education. As the
educational landscape has now been reshaped by online
learning, it is also important to ensure that everyone has
equal access to virtual classes and resources. The reality is
that many students worldwide – even in the most aﬄuent
of countries - do not have access to personal computers,
adequate internet, technical skills, or a home environment
that supports online study.
As we can see, a sense of compassion plays many
important roles in the school environment. It not only
provides the necessary support to mitigate the stresses of
the modern life for all stakeholders, but also draws our
students out to understand and help others and work
towards causes they believe in. This will give them a sense
of more control, help to alleviate their own anxiety and
build a bright future for themselves and their world. In the
end, is that not the whole purpose of education?

The 10 most admired schools in saudi arabia

The 10 most admired schools in saudi arabia

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