The fourth Teacher Preparation Conference starts Tuesday at Umm Al-Qura University here under the theme “Higher- and Public-education Teachers' Responsibilities Toward the Phenomenon of Violence and Extremism in the Light of Changes of the Present Age and the Requirements of Citizenship.” The three-day gathering will discuss the changes in this age and factors related to the formation of some concepts of extremism in youths, the effect of teachers' values and tendencies on students, and the role of extracurricular programs in fighting extremism and terrorism and enhancing citizenship. Additionally, some examples of cooperation between education institutions and the private sector to curb extremism and terrorism will be reviewed. The meeting has attracted a group of senior education officials and specialists who will meet in special sessions to discuss topics related to teachers and their message, within King Abdullah's strategic plan to develop education in Saudi Arabia. It will also host workshops for about 200 deans and outstanding teachers. Dr. Bakri Assas, Director of Umm Al-Qura University, said he values King Abdullah's patronage of the conference, which is “clear evidence of the leadership's care for knowledge and elevating the performance level of teachers in the public education and universities.” The event's theme is in line with the policy Umm Al-Qura University has adopted in terms of issues related to evaluating teachers' performance and their positions, he added. The gathering aims to study programs to prepare teachers contribute to developing students' values of citizenship, moderation and tolerance; attempt to develop criteria and values against extremism and terrorism in pre-service teacher preparation programs; and determine the programs' future tendencies, said Dr. Zayed Al-Harthi, dean of the school's Education Faculty and head of the Teacher Preparation Conference's Preparatory and Organizing Committee. __
