Jordan Times
Friday, July 23, 2004
Monarch lays cornerstone
for King's Academy boarding school
By Dalya Dajani
MADABA — His Majesty King Abdullah on Thursday laid the cornerstone for the new
King's Academy, a co-educational boarding school that will replicate the
US-based academic institution where he completed his high school.
Inspired by King Abdullah's formative experience at Deerfield Academy, the
King's Academy, set for development in the rural town of Manja, is designed to
guide students towards the highest international standards of educational
achievement.
Adopting the American high-school style curricula, the academy will include
studies in arts, athletics, leadership, community development and community
service whilst also conforming to local culture and values.
King Abdullah, accompanied by Her Majesty Queen Rania, Deerfield Academy
officials, Prime Minister Faisal Fayez and Minister of Education Khalid Touqan
yesterday examined the academy's architectural designs and was briefed on its
academic programme and stimulating campus life.
Safwan Masri, the chairman of King's Academy board of trustees, told King
Abdullah and attending officials that the private, non-profit boarding school
would set a new standard for secondary education in the Middle East.
“Nothing is more vital to the future of Jordan, or the entire Middle East for
that matter, than preparing the next generation of enlightened leaders. Leaders
equipped to take their places on the world stage in business, government and the
arts — indeed in every facet of society,” said Masri.
Masri, a Columbia University professor told participants at the ceremony
yesterday that the academy's focus on academic excellence, enlightened pedagogy,
community service, personal values and state-of-the-art sports facilities were a
unique combination of hallmarks to achieve its aims.
The boarding school, to include various sports facilities, a multidenominational
centre, a mosque and garden, a technologically equipped library, a theatre, an
auditorium, an indoor swimming pool and amenities for archery, horseback riding
and basketball, is expected to cost between $55-$60 million,
King Abdullah, who benefited from the unique blend of academics, community,
personal values and sportsmanship, had directed that the King's Academy
replicate these elements in the new boarding school.
As described by the King: “It will be a place where students will set aside
class, background and pretence, to learn and grow together, while embracing
individual and corporate values that include dignity, honesty, tolerance and
compassion.”
One of the main features of King's Academy however, lies in its on-campus
housing facilities that will work towards enhancing student/teacher
relationships as part of the educational process.
“True leaders are not only scholastically accomplished, but emotionally and
personally developed. Campus life, where faculty and their families will live in
dormitories alongside their students in a self-governing setting, will focus on
building character,” Masri said.
“Teachers won't leave campus when classes are through for the day. They will
join students on the playing fields and in the rehearsal halls,” he added.
This, along with the freedom to pursue academic courses that suit student
interests aside from their regular curricula will help mould student
independence and appreciation of diversity.
Eric Widmer, headmaster of Deerfield Academy in the US, told The Jordan Times
that the 200-year-old institution embodied a powerful spirit they hoped to carry
into the new King's Academy.
“When King Abdullah describes Deerfield Academy as a model, I believe he is
referring to its spirit rather than its appearance,” said Widmer, a graduate of
the academy himself.
“The closeness of the faculty's relationship with students is a main feature of
the academy. It allows the two sides to get to know each other, helps them
develops their social and emotional skills and provides the needed guidance for
the next stages of their lives,” he added.
Although following an American style high-school curricula, the academy's own
programme of liberal arts and academia will to a degree conform to local values
and culture. Most of the classes are to be taught in English. The International
Baccalaureate programme will also be considered in the academy.
The academy is slated to open in September 2006 with 300 students and reach a
full capacity of 600 students by 2008.
According to Touqan, most of the students are expected from the Gulf states. The
curricula will be mainly taught by expert foreign staff. They will, however,
eventually be replaced by local teachers once they are equipped with the
expertise to do so at the standard required. Masri said revenues generated would
be used to develop the academy's scholastic programme and continuously upgrade
the quality of teaching standards of its teachers,
“To ensure diversity, the academy will also commit at least 15 per cent of its
annual tuition revenue to fund the King's Scholars Programme,” said Masri.
Students under this programme will receive full financial support, including
tuition, living expenses, books and supplies.
Meanwhile, King Abdullah, the Supreme Commander of the Jordan Armed Forces,
visited the eastern zone military headquarters on Wednesday evening. The Monarch
inaugurated the new premises of the officers' headquarters and club, attended a
military sports festival and martial arts competition and presented awards to
the winning teams. Accompanied by HRH Prince Hussein Ben Abdullah, the King also
inspected an exhibition of military equipment and attended a dabkeh performance,
poetry reading and folklore music and singing. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of
Staff General Khaled Sarayreh and other senior officers were present at the
celebration.