Jerash, June 3 (Petra) – Her Royal Highness Princess Basma bint Talal, president of the Jordanian Association for Boy Scouts and Girl Guides, patronized the Ministry of Education’s celebration marking the 80th anniversary of Jordan’s independence on Wednesday at the Princess Basma Scout Camp in Dibeen.

In her address at the ceremony, Princess Basma underscored that independence is not merely an annual occasion but an enduring responsibility and a continuous commitment to safeguarding national values and contributing to the country’s future development.

She said independence should be viewed as an ongoing national project that demands loyalty, responsibility, and sustained effort, noting that Jordan has consistently transformed challenges into opportunities and its geographic position into a message of moderation, stability, and constructive engagement.

Princess Basma highlighted the role of the scouting movement as a practical extension of the values of independence, stressing its contribution to shaping youth, strengthening belonging, and instilling principles of volunteerism, discipline, and perseverance. She also pointed to the Ministry of Education’s role in reinforcing these values through the educational process.

Minister of Education Azmi Mahafza, in his remarks, said that every school built, every successful student, and every outstanding teacher reflects the meaning of independence and embodies the Jordanian state’s commitment to placing human development at the center of its priorities.

He said Jordanians, under the Hashemite leadership, have built a record of achievement since independence by investing in education and institutional development, establishing schools across cities, villages, rural areas, and refugee camps, and expanding access to learning.

Mahafza added that the education sector has undergone significant development in recent years, including curriculum modernization, improvement of the learning environment, integration of digital education, and the promotion of innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurship in line with national modernization visions.

He noted that these efforts aim to enhance students’ cognitive and creative skills and prepare them for the demands of digital transformation and the knowledge economy.

The minister also emphasized the role of boy scouts and girl guides as a key partner in fostering national awareness, community service, and values of responsibility and teamwork among young people, alongside the formal education system.

//Petra// AJ