Amman, January 31 (Petra) -- Chair of the Board of Trustees of Amman Baccalaureate School Princess Sumaya bint El Hassan patronised Jordan IB Day 2026, hosted by Amman Baccalaureate School under the theme "Towards Impactful Learning Excellence Through Action." The event brought together educational leaders, policymakers and International Baccalaureate representatives from across Jordan and the wider region, reflecting what Fiyaz Ahmed, Principal and CEO of Amman Baccalaureate School, described as the IB’s enduring belief that "education is most powerful when it is shared, when schools do not work in isolation but participate in a network of learning grounded in inquiry, reflection and continuous improvement." Among those in attendance were Azmi Mahafzah, Minister of Education and Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research; Haif Bannayan, Director for Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Canada at the International Baccalaureate Organisation; and a wide range of Jordanian and international education leaders.
In her address, Princess Sumaya discussed the moral and human foundations of education, quoting a hadith of the Prophet Muhammad: "Seeking knowledge is an obligation upon every Muslim." She emphasised that education is not only a pathway to academic achievement but a cornerstone of dignity, identity and responsible citizenship.
She spoke of the founding vision of Amman Baccalaureate School, established in 1981 by her father, His Royal Highness Prince El Hassan bin Talal, as the first International Baccalaureate school in Jordan and the region.
She noted that international education, when grounded in values, "does not come at the expense of identity but rather begins with it," preparing young people to engage the world with confidence, ethics and purpose.
Jordan IB Day 2026 brought together leaders from 25 schools representing all governorates of the Kingdom, underscoring a shared professional commitment to collaboration.
Princess Sumaya said that leadership in education is expressed "not by prominence alone but by service," a principle reflected in the contributions of Jordanian educators to the wider IB community.
The programme featured a student performance entitled "Ana Min Hoon" (I Am From Here), exploring themes of identity, belonging and citizenship.
Presented in the context of national celebrations marking the birthday of His Majesty King Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein, may God protect him, the performance echoed Her Royal Highness's message that "identity and belonging are not inherited automatically but are formed deliberately and safeguarded through education." Participants were reminded that the success of Jordan IB Day would be measured not only by dialogue and reflection but by action. //Petra// AK
