By: Saleh Abdullah Alkhamyasi

This week students all over Oman returned to their schools as if they are honeybees out of their beehives. After a long Summer holiday it is time again to embark and proceed on their learning journey. Undoubtedly this event creates a major shift to the parents life style as well. Each house would be like a factory. Mothers would wake up early to get their children ready and prepare their breakfast and motivate the lazy ones and persuade them to head to their schools with creative promises and tactics that touch their interest.

All the families become on alert to ensure that the day’s routine goes without disruption.

In the process of preparing the student to the come back day, parents had to undergo strenuous tasks to prepare the uniforms and secure the required stationary which includes an array of demands such as bags, pencils, pen and the rest of the familiar long list.

The scene of the students with their bags reveals their different taste and the impact of latest trends in the cartoon movies. Even the situation on the roads is different. The roads become so congested and the traffic movements are slow as if it is a marriage procession.

The students are joyful and chanting and playing with their school mates inside their school buses.

At the school yards the teachers on the other hand are on their toes for the grand reception to welcome their migrating birds. They exert all the efforts to make them warm and happy in their nests.

This glorious moment brings to mind a vision, which His Majesty Sultan Qaboos had more than three decades ago. It was His Majesty’s firm belief in the importance of education as a catalyst of change in the quest to build modern Oman that  has led to our present achievements. It was his love and devotion to his people that has made him loudly cry with his eternal statement “ We will teach our children even under the shade of a tree” A statement which engraved in every Omani citizen’s heart.

As we watch these youngsters go back to their schools in each nook and corner of Oman we cannot help but say thanks a million Your Majesty. Your Vision has certainly become a tangible reality. It has certainly become a success story.

From a mere three schools for boys before 1970 to uncountable educational institutions that cater to both genders for various stages of education up to higher studies.. This is certainly more than a fulfilled promise. It is a moment of pride of  such a huge and inspiring achievements. It is a massive paradigm shift for brighter Tomorrow.

Omanet

Date: 2/9/2008