His Majesty King Abdullah on Thursday inaugurated Khdeirat Basic School in Quweira, 50km north of Aqaba.

The school replaced an older one that His Majesty visited in July last year.

Experiencing the need for maintenance and renovation, the King then issued orders for a new school to be constructed immediately.

On Thursday, His Majesty was there again to officially inaugurate the new building and make sure it provides a sound educational environment for schoolchildren.

Built on an area of six dunums, the school also includes a kindergarten, administration offices and a teachers' lounge, in addition to volleyball and basketball courts.

Principal Hanan Shomali said the new school “has helped attract more students. In the past, only about 100 students were enrolled and there was a high dropout rate”.

“Now there are some 155 registered students and they attend classes regularly."

Khdeirat School was one of a series of educational and health projects King Abdullah launched in the pastoral Quweira District, home to some 17,000 residents.

Upon the King's directives, new kindergartens were created in the area's other schools as well.

Also, the King visited families residing in their new houses, built as part of a Royal makruma. Under the project, the 88 houses built in the district for poor families were also supplied with furniture and the necessary household appliances.

King Abdullah also visited healthcare centers which have undergone maintenance and expansion work in the district.

The King concluded the tour by visiting the town's youth centre, where His Majesty discussed with community leaders and officials the situation of the area.

Outlining their needs, residents said they wanted a military hospital, a military school, solutions to water and environmental problems in the area, more jobs and offices for a women's association, among others.

King Abdullah issued directives to the concerned authorities to visit the district and address the demands raised by the area's residents.