His Majesty King Abdullah urged the education establishment to shoulder its “historical responsibilities” and rise to the complicated challenges facing Jordan.

In a letter addressed to around 1.6 million students returning to school today, to be read out during morning assemblies, the King said that education lies at the core of efforts to fight extremism and negative rejection of other cultures.

“We are looking at educational institutions to protect Jordanians from sliding into” extremist and rejectionist thought and ensure that children are brought up in a way to exercise sound judgment and rational thinking.

Students, the King said, should be taught how to respect others' opinions, embrace innovation and positive change.

“We in Jordan are keen on achieving a revival and positive change and entrenching the principles of participation [in public life], justice, equal opportunity and tolerance,” King Abdullah said.

He also highlighted the importance of striking a balance between the need to keep up with the rapid changes in the world and consistency and stability in the students' way in thinking, and balance between modernity and originality.

A total of 1,581,090 students from all grades, including 134,340 first graders will head to the country's 3,189 schools today.

The Jordan Times