New school for neurodiverse children to open in Riyadh
RIYADH: A new school specializing in educating neurodiverse children aged 3 to 9 will open in Riyadh in September, it was announced on Tuesday evening.
Josour Schools held a seminar in Riyadh this week to make the announcement, highlighting its unique model, which combines education, therapy and family services.
The school, which will be located in Roshn's Sedra 1 community, is the result of a partnership between the Educational Infrastructure Holding Co. and UK-based CareTech.
'CareTech is always rooted in the communities in which we operate our services,' Shokat Akbar, CEO of CareTech International, told Arab News. 'For (Josour) to succeed, it must be rooted in the community and be … in partnership with the community.'
Aligned with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 goals, Josour Schools adopts a British curriculum adapted to local cultural values.
Its small-class model, led by neurodiversity specialists, focuses on individualized education plans and combines education with therapeutic interventions.
'This school serves a critical purpose: providing good quality access to special education needs services for children,' Akbar said. 'Inclusivity comes in many ways.
'Students (will) participate in society through art and sport, making their contributions visible.'
The school will have access to resources from CareTech's global network of 47 UK schools and 550 specialized services.
'Teachers will attend CareTech UK schools as part of their induction and training,' Akbar said, adding that Josour's therapists would collaborate with experts across CareTech's global network, including researchers and practitioners.
Enrollment is now open for the 2025 academic year.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Asharq Al-Awsat
2 hours ago
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Grand Hajj Symposium Explores Capability, Ease in Performing Rituals
Saudi Arabia is leveraging artificial intelligence and digital technologies to enhance the Hajj experience, aiming to ensure safety, ease, and comfort for pilgrims, the Kingdom's Minister of Hajj and Umrah said on Sunday. Speaking at the opening of the 49th annual Grand Hajj Symposium in Jeddah, Minister Tawfiq Al-Rabiah said the Kingdom's efforts reflect the leadership's commitment to providing a secure and seamless pilgrimage. He praised the high level of coordination among various agencies, describing it as a testament to Saudi Arabia's dedication to serving pilgrims. 'This year's symposium, held under the theme 'Capability for Hajj and Contemporary Developments,' highlights the balance between the core principles of Islamic jurisprudence and the evolving realities of the modern world,' Al-Rabiah said. During the event, Prince Faisal bin Salman, Chairman of the King Abdulaziz Foundation for Research and Archives (Darah), announced the launch of a new forum on the history of Hajj and the Two Holy Mosques. The initiative is being organized in collaboration with the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah. Prince Faisal said Saudi Arabia's efforts to serve pilgrims reflect a bold national vision to elevate the spiritual journey. The Kingdom's major expansion projects and innovative initiatives have allowed millions of Muslims to perform their rituals with ease and peace of mind, he noted. Saudi Arabia's Grand Mufti, Sheikh Abdulaziz Al-Sheikh, emphasized that Islamic rulings on the Hajj pilgrimage are rooted in ease and accessibility, highlighting that physical and financial ability are key conditions for undertaking the journey. In remarks delivered on his behalf by Dr. Fahd Al-Majid, Secretary-General of the Council of Senior Scholars, at the symposium, the Grand Mufti said the obligation of Hajj is tied not only to physical and financial capability, but also to obtaining an official Hajj permit. 'Those unable to secure a Hajj permit are considered among those who are not able to perform Hajj, even if they meet the physical and financial requirements,' he said. Al-Sheikh underscored the importance of educating pilgrims on the jurisprudence of istita'ah, or capability, saying it helps safeguard lives and ensures a smoother pilgrimage experience. 'While Hajj involves a degree of hardship, it does not exceed normal bounds nor cause undue distress,' he added. He praised the Saudi leadership for its continued efforts in serving Muslims and facilitating access to the Two Holy Mosques. 'Since God entrusted Saudi Arabia with the care of the holy sites, the Kingdom has spared no effort in making Hajj easier for Muslims around the world,' he said. Saudi Health Minister Fahd Al-Jalajel said on Sunday that health readiness is a crucial component of the broader concept of istita'ah, or capability, for performing Hajj, underscoring the Kingdom's integrated approach to safeguarding pilgrims' well-being. Also speaking at the symposium, Al-Jalajel said the Saudi health system works closely with partners to ensure that health standards are met ahead of the pilgrimage season. 'Every year, we conduct a global assessment of environmental and epidemiological risks to determine health capability thresholds and protect pilgrims from potential threats,' he said. Al-Jalajel cited the Kingdom's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic as a model of responsible health management, noting that Saudi authorities implemented precise and cautious measures to safely hold Hajj during the global crisis. The minister said Saudi Arabia continues to adapt to evolving conditions by enhancing its health infrastructure and medical protocols in the holy sites. These efforts include expanding heat-mitigation systems, improving medical preparedness, and building a 200-bed field hospital within 30 days to address the risk of heatstroke. He added that hospital bed capacity had been increased by 60%, while the speed of pharmaceutical deliveries to hospitals in the holy sites had been drastically improved through drone technology. 'Delivery times for medications in the holy sites have been cut from 90 minutes to just six,' Al-Jalajel said. Saudi Arabia's Public Security Director, Lt. Gen. Mohammed bin Abdullah Al-Bassami, said on Sunday that the Hajj permit system plays a vital role in ensuring equal opportunity for pilgrims to perform the ritual in a safe and orderly environment. Al-Bassami emphasized that the Kingdom's security forces will continue to crack down on violators and those who aid them, as part of efforts to protect the sanctity and safety of the pilgrimage. Strict security measures are essential to safeguarding pilgrims. Ensuring their safety is one of the Kingdom's top priorities for a successful Hajj season, he said. Al-Bassami reaffirmed the position of the Council of Senior Scholars, which views obtaining a Hajj permit as part of the Islamic requirement of istita'ah (capability), as it serves the public interest and prevents harm. With over 1.6 million pilgrims expected this year, he stressed the importance of organized crowd control to prevent congestion and accidents. Reducing the number of unauthorized pilgrims contributes to public health, facilitates movement, and helps prevent loss of life, Al-Bassami affirmed.
Asharq Al-Awsat
3 hours ago
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Adahi to Asharq Al-Awsat: We Are Employing AI to Achieve Operational Efficiency
General Coordinator of Saudi Arabia's Project for Utilization of Hady and Adahi (Adahi) Saad Abdul Rahman Al-Wabil revealed that the project is aiming to carry out a million sacrifices during this year's Hajj. The figure is a major jump compared to the average in the past ten years, which reached around 900,000 sacrifices per Hajj, he told Asharq Al-Awsat. The new target reflects the ongoing efforts to expand the operational capacity of the project in line with the goals of Vision 2030, he added. He explained that the Adahi project, which is directly overseen by the Royal Commission for Makkah City and Holy Sites, aims to facilitate the Hady, Fidya, Udhiya and Sadaqa rituals on behalf of Muslims through an integrated operational system that follows the Sharia and health standards. The project ensures that the sacrificial meat will reach those who need it inside and outside Saudi Arabia, he stated. The project boasts eight main slaughterhouses spanning a quarter of a million square meters. Seven of them are dedicated to the slaughter of sheep, and one each for the slaughter of camels and cows. Over 30,000 employees work at the slaughterhouses during the Hajj season, including 10,000 butchers and 800 veterinarians, as well as a team of volunteers, said Al-Wabil. 'We are keen on carrying out accurate veterinary tests before and after the slaughter to ensure the highest level of quality in service of the guests of the Two Holy Mosques,' he went on to say. Some 10,000 tons of meat are expected to be distributed in Makkah, and across Saudi Arabia and the Muslim world this year. The process is held in coordination with Saudi embassies in beneficiary countries to ensure that the meat reaches the neediest people, he remarked. This year, the project has adopted artificial intelligence in managing operations, including counting and weighing processes, he told Asharq Al-Awsat. Moreover, smart apps have been introduced, allowing Hajj pilgrims to buy the sacrificial meat online, as well as follow up on every step of the ritual. 'We are following a comprehensive digital plan that boosts transparency and achieves operational efficiency and ensures the comfort of the pilgrims,' he stated. 'This is a qualitative leap in services.'
Arab News
6 hours ago
- Arab News
Makkah mobile stroke unit saves Ugandan pilgrim
MAKKAH: A medical team stationed at the Grand Mosque in Makkah successfully intervened to save a Ugandan male pilgrim who suffered a severe cerebral hemorrhage, the Saudi Press Agency reported Sunday. The pilgrim reportedly lost consciousness within the Grand Mosque due to the hemorrhage, prompting an immediate response from the specialized unit. "The Ugandan pilgrim received critical treatment within an impressive 16 minutes — one-sixth of the internationally accepted standard time of 60 minutes for such cases," said the report, quoting the Makkah Health Cluster. After getting emergency care, the patient was transferred to King Abdulaziz Hospital for further comprehensive medical treatment. He is now undergoing rehabilitation and expected to be discharged to complete his pilgrimage. As part of Hajj preparations, a Mobile Stroke Unit affiliated with King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre (KFSHRC) is stationed at the Grand Mosque. The team is made up of a neurologist, cardiologist, respiratory therapist, emergency nurse, radiologist, and paramedic and equipped with advance diagnostic devices. Each year, tens of thousands of Hajj pilgrims benefit from various healthcare services provided by health centers and hospitals in the holy sites. Saudi Arabia deploys around 50,000 healthcare and other professionals to work 24 hours daily during Islam's most important gathering. Last week, a medical team at the Eye Health Center of King Abdullah Medical City in Makkah saved the sight of an Egyptian pilgrim who experienced sudden vision loss.
