MAKKAH: More than 800 elderly men and women, including a 105-year-old woman, participated in a literacy campaign organized by the Saudi Ministry of Education this summer, representing the Administration of National Education, in Jazan.
233 male and 599 female students were enrolled in 28 educational centers across the region in Samtah, Ahad al-Masarihah, Al-Harth and Al-Aridhah governorates.
Educational, cultural, social and health events and activities were held in collaboration with public and private sector agencies.
These activities aim to develop the skills of the beneficiaries and ensure that they achieve their educational and cultural goals to ensure a fair and comprehensive education.
One such student is 105-year-old Shaqraa Tohari, who enrolled at the Al-Dabra educational center in Ahad Al-Masarihah, expressing her strong desire to learn to read and write.
He said that he is happy to stand next to the blackboard to write the alphabet, or sit in his chair to write and read numbers, or read Surah Al-Fatiha or short surahs from the Qur'an, all the while enjoying their support. teacher.
“I was passionate about learning to read and write, even though I was over 100 years old. It's a dream I've been waiting for for years and decades to come true,” he said.
“Despite all the challenges and the reality of being an old man, this dream has come true. It's a golden moment I can't miss,” said Tohari.
The captain said he spent his life raising his five sons and four daughters. He educated them and devoted his life to them.
However, deep in his soul, he always wanted to teach them and help them do their homework.
“The State's interest in providing education for all and eliminating illiteracy helped me achieve my dream. It motivated me and the women in my village to progress in education and achieve what we could not see.
“Education and learning are the dream of everyone, aiming to eradicate ignorance and illiteracy.
“(We) increased their knowledge with simple science facts given to them by their teachers at the senior education center,” he added.
Tohari's son, Ibrahim, said his mother is very happy to enroll in the adult education program, as it represents a dream she has been waiting to achieve for decades, believing in her right to education, to write and read, like other women.
Ibrahim's sister Nourah, 35, takes her mother to the education center every afternoon, and her other children help her with schoolwork.
After successfully completing her first year, Ibrahim said, the women in the village were proud of their mother.
Ibrahim said that what makes his mother special is her determination to complete her education and learn new subjects.
