Given the support provided by the Government for educational institutions across the public and private sectors, and the increasingly growing number of students at about six million in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, educational institutions seek to provide the highest potential to create the most appropriate educational environment in line with the international standards and in harmony with the specificity of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. In the same vein, Dr. Adel Abdul Jalil Batterjee, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Waad Holding Company, said "the private education sector cannot focus only on the competitiveness of profitability of fees and profit-making. It is best to be competitive in delivering quality programs, curricula and outputs that are consistent with Vision 2030 and the aspirations of students and parents." "Through our experience of about 25 years, we are very keen to achieve a leading position in the education sector across the region by introducing the best international curricula, integrating technology with education, and applying a range of proven educational theories in the field, without ignoring the Islamic values and national identity in our development-driven continued research, we have found that the integration and interaction between the heart and the mind and the body would lead up to the best educational outputs, to achieve real success", added Batterjee. It is of great note that Waad Holding Company prides itself on having and featuring a group of schools in Jeddah and is one of the largest modern educational projects in the Middle East, which is proudly embodied in Waad Academy Schools. A unique educational curriculum is implemented in Waad Academy Schools across state-of-the-art buildings and cutting-edge school facilities that accommodate up to 6500 students. The curriculum thereof is delivered by a selection of international and Arab faculty members – the cream of the crop – in a learning environment driven by continued innovation and development. "We are proud to work hard to realize Vision 2030 developed by His Royal Highness Prince Muhammad Bin Salman by creating a community of hardworking people driven by aspirations and assiduity; people who can build great future for our home country," added Batterjee. "Therefore, we are keen to develop the academic level of Waad Academy learners. As such, we have decided to increase the number of working hours and school hours as of next academic year by an additional 45-minute class per day for all grades – from the first grade through the tenth grade – to provide additional classes and development programs that enhance students' emotional intelligence, analytical and creative abilities and problem solving, leadership skills, and entrepreneurial skills". He added that all Waad Academy students study the British Cambridge Program in addition to the identity materials and modules and a series of enrichment programs with international certificates, to graduate students qualified and confident of their competencies and capabilities; creative and effective in their communities and able to develop; innovate and create and take responsibility; ready to study at the best international and local universities. He further stressed that the Arabic lessons and subjects are an integral part of the academic curriculum of Waad Academy, and are effectively taught through technology-based methods, using some high-quality, traditional and proved methods and approaches. The academic curriculum adopted by Waad Academy integrates Islamic values such as love of Allah, philanthropy, charity and responsibility across all study tracks through an ‘educational' approach to provide learners with an interactive approach in line with the zeitgeist of the time. — SG
