خبرگزاری جمهوری عربی سوریه Syrian Arab News Agency
Damascus/Lattakia, SANA – The Syrian Science Olympiad held Saturday competitions for teachers in the provinces of Damascus and Lattakia with 344 participants.
The competitions, organized by the National Commission for the Syrian Science Olympiad in cooperation with the Ministry of Education, are the first of their kind for teachers, as former Science Olympiad competitions were held exclusively for students.
The new experience includes an elite group of well-qualified members of teaching cadres from universities and various scientific research centers in Syria, as well as specialized instructors from the Education Ministry.
In a three-hour period, the participants will undergo special tests and answer automated questions which aim at evaluating their analytic, deductive and research capabilities.
On the idea of launching such a competition, Chairman of the National Commission for the Syrian Scientific Olympiad Imad al- Azb told SANA reporter that “The major objective is to further promote excellence, innovation and scientific research through qualifying new national talents.”
Talking about the mechanism followed for the competition, al-Azb indicated that it consists of two stages, with the first one to be held at the level of provinces, while the second will be at the national level.
He noted that while the competition is not obligatory, it is however open to all secondary education (high school) teachers who are willing to participate in the provinces of Damascus, Damascus Countryside, Lattakia and Tartous.
The tests will include the subjects of mathematics, physics, chemistry, informatics and natural sciences.
Al-Azab said that the winners at the level of the provinces will qualify for the finals on the country’s level, which are due to be held in mid-September.
He pointed out that the names of the top three winners in each subject will be announced during an official ceremony in Damascus. Those will get priority for appointment to the National Center for Excellent Students, he added.
The winners will also be given the opportunity to become trainers and members of sub-committees of the Syrian Science Olympiad in the provinces, in addition to taking part in developing school curricula.
Al-Azab reiterated that the aim of this new experience of the Syrian Scientific Olympiad that targets teachers is to come out with a group of qualified innovative teachers who are capable to keep up with the ongoing progress and the latest developments in the teaching process.
Rasha Raslan/Haifa Said