Saturday 16 / November / 2024
#ReadersResponse: With His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said recently marking 47 years at the helm of Oman’s progress and economic reformation, residents in the nation did not shy away from heaping praise on their beloved ruler. His far-reaching achievements in modernising the Sultanate’s education sector were widely hailed.
“His Majesty Sultan Qaboos is an educationist and a profound scholar,” said MD Abdul Basith. “Before His Majesty Sultan Qaboos took over in 1970, there were only three schools in Oman, with a total of 900 students, and all of them were boys. Today there are over 1,000 schools, with a total enrollment of 4,82,000 students, with almost half of all students being girls.
“Girls and boys may go to separate schools, but their education is similar,” he added. “Children’s education goes through primary, preparatory, and secondary stages. Some students attend college or technical training institutes after secondary school. The Sultan Qaboos University was opened for classes in September 1986. Sixty-five per cent of its students are female.
“The literacy rate in 1995 was determined to be about 59 per cent for Omanis over fifteen years of age,” added Basith. “But since then, hundreds of adult-education and literacy centres have been established to help eliminate illiteracy. None can resist the charm of his personality. To know him is to love, respect and admire him. We wish and pray for the Sultan’s health.”
Vinay Ashar was also quick to praise His Majesty’s modernisation efforts. “His Majesty Sultan Qaboos is a wise and benevolent leader who is respected worldwide,” he revealed. “He has made Oman into the modern country it is today while retaining some traditional values, always striving for the welfare of the Omani and expat population living in Oman, and attempting to bring peace to the region. May he be blessed with good health and a long life. The Sultan’s efforts to promote the nation as a bastion of peace and tolerance were highlighted by many residents in Oman.
“The reign of our ruler His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said has brought this country to the heights of success,” added Elizabeth Joseph. “The developments in every economy, health, society, education, and tourism sectors has been mind-blowing. Only due to the cooperation of every resident in Oman has this nation been labelled as one of the safest in the world.
“Friendly people, mutual understanding among all nations, infrastructure development, beautiful places, clean cities, acceptance of all life forms, customs, treating every individual equally, the Royal Oman Police squad, and an endless list of positives prove Oman to be one of the best countries in the world and behind all this achievement is His Majesty Sultan Qaboos,” she added.
Mufied Al Jabry said, “You really cannot count all the blessings he has brought to this lovely and peaceful country. We are very lucky to have such a strong and wise leader, and may he live and rule this great nation for a million more years.
“His Majesty has done many uncountable good things to his people as well as his beautiful country,” said Noor Zizi. “He has done and is still doing the best for each and every one of us who are lucky enough to live in Oman and make sure everyone of us is educated, safe and happy under his wise leadership. “His first priority has always been his people as well as all people who are living in Oman.”
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