Neighborhoods Educational and Entertainment Clubs Initiative
The Neighborhoods Educational and Entertainment Clubs Initiative is one of the initiatives of the Ministry of Education. It targets the residents of neighborhoods in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It seeks to equip schools and establish centers to offer extracurricular activities and programs. It was launched by the Ministry of Education within the framework of the National Transformation Program. It is executed by Tatweer Buildings Company, the executive arm of the Ministry of Education's projects. It is overseen by leaders in education and teachers.
The Ministry of Education seeks to establish two thousand neighborhood clubs across Saudi Arabia's provinces, where such clubs would offer programs and initiatives that instill interaction among the neighborhood's residents. They would also contribute to establishing positive relationships that would further strengthen communities, ultimately achieving the Quality of Life Program according to the targets of Saudi Vision 2030.
Objectives of the Neighborhoods Educational and Entertainment Clubs Initiative
Within the framework of the Neighborhoods Educational and Entertainment Clubs Initiative, the Ministry of Education seeks to instill noble principles and values within an environment that combines both education and entertainment, supports students' talents, contributes to developing their personalities, skills, and abilities, provides them with knowledge, and invests their energy and time in favor of achieving positive outcomes for them and their parents. This environment also encourages community communication and the establishment of relationships between the neighborhood's residents. Finally, it contributes to fostering a sense of national belonging.
Scope of the Neighborhoods Educational and Entertainment Clubs Initiative
The initiative covers Saudi Arabia's provinces. It was first executed in the provinces of Makkah Al-Mukarramah, Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah, Riyadh, the Eastern Province, Aseer, Qassim, and Jazan, encompassing forty-seven clubs in total. In July 2020, the initiative achieved around 74 percent of its target, with 1,480 activated neighborhood clubs benefiting 1.1 million male and female students, in addition to 376,000 community members.
Activities of the Neighborhoods Educational and Entertainment Clubs Initiative
The activities offered within the framework of the Neighborhoods Educational and Entertainment Clubs mainly target school students and their parents, ultimately encompassing both genders residing in the target neighborhood, including children, youth, and the elderly. Clubs are open throughout the academic year, in the evenings, for four days a week. They are hence available for eighteen days monthly, contributing to establishing communication and fostering social cohesion among the neighborhood's residents.
The Ministry of Education is deploying its efforts in favor of establishing an attractive environment for the neighborhood clubs, where it is equipping schools or constructing specially dedicated buildings for such clubs. These structures would be equipped with facilities including open spaces, theaters, laboratories, and sport stadiums, which would support offering various activities that are suitable for all community segments.
The neighborhood clubs offer various activities and programs related to the fields of education, entertainment, social affairs, culture, health, and arts. These include self-development programs, the business industry, health improvement programs, and environmental protection. It also holds theater-related activities and offers world days activations and volunteering initiatives. It supports students by preparing them for local and international contests.