As around 1.6 million schoolchildren headed back to schools on Sunday, His Majesty King Abdullah instructed the government to exempt public school students from paying school fees.

During a meeting with several teachers at the newly renovated King Abdullah II School for Excellence in Balqa, which King Abdullah inaugurated Sunday, the King said improving the educational process tops his priorities.

The King, who reiterated his support for teachers and concern to provide all possible support to enhance the educational process, said: "I will follow up with the government on all demands presented by you [teachers] today, and you have all my support."

Teachers at the meeting requested increases in their salaries and financial incentives, calling on the government to endorse a regulation regarding King Abdullah II Schools for Excellence that was presented to the Cabinet three years ago. They said these proposals will help enhance incentives for teachers at these schools.

They also called for allocating a quota of the houses built under the Decent Housing for Decent Living Initiative to teachers. The Decent Housing for Decent Living entails the construction of 100,000 government-subsidised housing units.

Prime Minister Nader Dahabi said the government will reconsider financial incentives given to teachers, adding that it will follow up on the endorsement of the proposed regulation.

King Abdullah II School for Excellence in Balqa has been operating since 2004, and underwent a major renovation that included the construction of a new, 3,800-metre square building with 20 classrooms, eight labs, eight halls, an auditorium and many other facilities.

The schools are open to 6th graders from public or private schools whose grades are no less than 90 out of 100 points and who excel in the fields of math, English, science and Arabic.

The Royal Court initiated the establishment of four such schools in Balqa, Aqaba, Tafilah and Ajlioun upon the King's directives, issued during past visits to the governorates.

"During each new semester, public and private schools nominate the top students who meet the criteria. Then, education departments across the Kingdom conduct tests for students within their areas and those who pass the test are admitted to these schools," Ahmad Abu Rumman, principal of the Balqa School, told reporters.

Students enrolled in these schools pay fees similar to those at other public schools, said Abu Rumman, adding that teachers receive salaries similar to their peers working in regular public schools.