His Majesty King Abdullah on Sunday hailed the role of teachers and students in building a better Jordan.

In a letter marking the beginning of the school year, the King said Jordanian students and teachers are amongst “the most important pillars in our national formula.”

His Majesty described teachers as “the essence of the teaching process”, adding that the decision to establish a teachers’ association attests to his respect and support for this category of civil servants and their profession.

“We are proud and supportive of teachers’ commitment to their profession and their willingness to offer their expertise [to their students] as they carry out their noble humanitarian mission,” King Abdullah said in the letter, which was read on Sunday in the Kingdom’s schools.

From modest beginnings, Jordan today boasts 6,000 schools with 1.7 million students, along with kindergartens, across the Kingdom, the King said, underscoring the role of schools, teachers and students in bolstering the national collective identity and maintaining the unified Arab social fabric.

The King also highlighted contributions by civil society institutions and the private sector to rehabilitate schools’ infrastructure, empower teachers and grant scholarships.

"This form of strategic national partnerships is an indication of the deep understanding that the positive impact of investing in the Jordanian people will reflect on all economic sectors and various aspects of life,” he said.

His Majesty concluded by commending the efforts of parents for what they do to prepare their children to serve their country.