Queen Rania Visits First Boys' School in Kingdom to Receive Gold Accredication in Healthy School Accreditation Program

April 16, 2013

(Office of Her Majesty– Press Department- Madaba) In line with her efforts to create a healthy learning environment in public schools in Jordan, Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah visited today Al Ma’mounieh Secondary School for Boys in Madaba governorate, the first boy's school in the Kingdom to receive the gold accreditation in the Healthy School Accreditation Program implemented by the Royal Health Awareness Society (RHAS).

During her visit Queen Rania met with teachers, students, parents and local community leaders who had worked together to improve the health standards in their school. The Queen also toured different parts of the school to check on the aspects that qualified it to receive the (2011-2012) gold accreditation.

In the meeting, which was also attended by Director of RHAS Ms. Enaam Barrishi and School Principal Dr. Ali Nayel Al Shofeiyeen, Her Majesty expressed her pride in the school's accomplishments and the productive partnerships it is building with parents and the local community. The Queen added that receiving this accreditation makes the school a model for other schools to look up to.

Her Majesty also listened to the group talk about their roles and how their collaboration and complementary roles granted the school the bronze and silver level accreditation in the past, and the gold level this year.

Queen Rania then toured the school and stopped by the counseling room where she was briefed by the counselor on the services and guidance they provide to students. Her Majesty also visited the school cafeteria and checked on the healthy food choices it provides students with.

The Queen then visited the school's physics lab where students talked about how scientific experiments help them better understand their lessons.

In the fourth grade classroom, Her Majesty chatted with students who were watching a puppet show performed by youth volunteers about the disadvantages of smoking. Queen Rania then stopped by a number of other classrooms as well as the teachers' room where she thanked them for their efforts that helped the school receive this accreditation.

Launched by RHAS in 2008 and in partnership with the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education, the Healthy School Accreditation Program sets standards that guide schools to develop and reach a healthy living, learning, and working environment.
These standards include management and leadership, safe school environment, healthy school environment, clean school environment, health education, staff and community competence, health services, social and psychological support, physical activity, nutrition, and swimming pools in schools.

In 2011/2012, a total of 75 schools participated in the program, of which 47 received accreditation; 15 of which were gold, 9 silver and 23 bronze. This year the program includes 88 schools, 68 of which have made it to the final stages of the program. Eight of the schools participating this year are from the private sector and one is an UNRWA school.

RHAS was established in 2005 under the direction of Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah as a Jordanian non-profit organization that seeks to raise the health awareness of the Jordanian society through implementing preventative public health and safety programs based on the right to health for all.