Amman: Deputizing for Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah, Chairperson of the Queen Rania Awards for Excellence in Education (QRAEE) Board of Trustees, Minister of Education, Higher Education, and Scientific Research Azmi Mahafzah honored the winners of the 19th edition of the Distinguished Teacher Award, the sixth edition of the Distinguished Educational Counselor Award, and the fifth edition of the Excellence-Supporting Directorate Awards during a ceremony held at the Royal Cultural Palace.
According to Jordan News Agency, the event was attended by members of the board of directors, media and education sector representatives, and partner sponsors from both public and private sectors, along with assessment committee members and coordinators. In his address, Mahafzah emphasized the integration of excellence programs into institutional strategies by the ministry, highlighting the QRAEE Association's role in transforming winning kindergartens into centers of educational expertise and using insights from the distinguished kindergarten awards to shape future educational policies.
Mahafzah also acknowledged the nationwide implementation of two initiatives from the award's first edition, namely Class of Joy and Interactive Walls. Executive Director of the QRAEE Association, Lubna Touqan, announced the launch of the Schools Supporting Programs of Excellence Award for the coming academic year, which will encompass all the association's programs. She encouraged schools to utilize the award's online portal for documenting their progress towards educational excellence.
Touqan further revealed widespread participation in the My Beautiful Environment program, with over 2,200 schools involved in its 17th year, and adoption of the Interactive Walls program in its inaugural year. Additionally, the Class of Joy program was embraced by more than 250 schools, aiming to create a safe and positive learning environment for young students. She also highlighted the growth of the award's digital library and its Arabic content.
This year's Excellence-Supporting Directorate Award winners included the directorates of Al-Shouneh Al-Janoubieh, Liwa' Al-Jami'ah, and Qasabat Irbid, recognized for their support of excellence and contributions to fostering a culture of excellence. They received certificates of appreciation and non-monetary incentives in collaboration with the Ministry of Education.
Notable winners of the Distinguished Teacher Award included Iman Mohammad Bani Salman and Amal Mohammad Al-Qawasmeh for kindergarten education, and Yasmeen Suleiman Alyan for grades 1 to 3. Other awardees spanned various educational categories, with several teachers receiving certificates of appreciation at both national and directorate levels.
Monetary prizes were distributed, with first-place winners receiving JD4,000, second-place winners JD3,000, and third-place winners JD2,000. National appreciation certificate recipients received JD400, while Excellence-Supporting Directorate Award winners received JD3,000 to bolster their developmental plans.
Additionally, winners and appreciation certificate recipients are eligible for non-monetary incentives from QRAEE, provided in partnership with the Ministry of Education, private sector entities, academic institutions, and media organizations, aimed at supporting their professional and academic growth.