Razzaz honours winners of Arab Reading Challenge

AMMAN — The Jordanian winners of the Arab Reading Challenge (ARC) were honoured at a ceremony held by Minister of Education Omar Razzaz and ARC Secretary General Najla Al Shamsi at the Cultural Palace in Amman on Wednesday. 

Razzaz received Jordan ARC champion Duha Hussein, a 10th grade student from Um Qasir Secondary School in Amman, Fadi Wasfi Al Dihshan, the winner of the distinguished supervisor award, as well as recognising Al Hassad Al Tarbawi school in Amman as winner of the best school award, according to a statement from the ARC organisers, Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives. 

ARC aims to promote a sustainable model for reading through an integrated system of student-supervisor follow-ups and support, as well as monetary incentives for students, supervisors and schools across the Arab world. The project hopes to instigate a cultural renaissance in the Arab world by encouraging students to read and continuously expand their knowledge, according to the statement. 

The education minister thanked the UAE Prime Minister and Vice President and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who founded the award in 2015, saying that “We have seen the impact of this not only in our country, but in many Arab countries; it gave students a great incentive to develop their linguistic skills and knowledge.” 

Razzaz added that “ARC seeks to instill the love of reading in young students, making knowledge a vital part of their daily lives; this is in line with the Jordanian government’s vision for youth and their future…. The increasing number of participants in this year’s competitions reflected, on the one hand, the capabilities of the education sector in Jordan, and on the other hand, young students’ talents and ambitions.” 

In her remarks at the event, Shamsi spoke of the “remarkable” number of participants in this year’s reading challenge, while praising the “ambition and talent of the students at the final stages of the competition”. 

Over 340,000 students from various grades made it to the second phase of the Arab Reading Challenge, with two committees formed to assess the participants. Over 500 students made it to the last stages, along with five supervisors and one school.

The Arab Reading Challenge, launched in September 2015, represents the largest pan-Arab reading project, according to organisers.