Manama, Dec. 30 (BNA): His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa patronised today Bahrain First Festival 2015 which was organised by the Education Ministry at Bahrain National Stadium. HM the King was welcomed on arrival by Education Minister Dr. Majid Al Nuaimi and other senior officials amid cheers from participants including around 30,000 students from public and private schools.
After the national anthem and the welcome speeches by the compere and the Education Minister, HM the King gave the following speech:
“In the name of God, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate
Dear teachers, students and parents,
God’s peace, mercy and blessings be upon you,
It is our pleasure to share with you your annual national festival, Bahrain First, which you organize with happy and beautiful tableaux to express your love, loyalty and belonging to your homeland as well as pride in your authentic national identity.
We thank the Ministry of Education for its excellent supervision of this uniting national celebration for the sons and daughters from across Bahrain and we greet them with love, pride and gratitude.
We commend the efforts of the national educational institutions, under the unrelenting follow-up of the ministry, to implement the state’s educational policies based on scientific foundation and knowledge empowerment for the students that aim at upgrading educational outcomes and meeting the needs and demands of the national economy.
In this regard, we have given our directives to develop the Gifted students Center to reinforce their abilities and creativity as they are the pillars of the country and its future.
And we are pleased, in appreciation to our sons and daughters, to give them a day off tomorrow, and we wish you many happy returns.
God’s peace, mercy and blessings be upon you.”
On his part the Education Minister extended to HM the King, on behalf of the Education Ministry personnel, students and their parents, congratulations and heartfelt thanks and gratitude for patronising Bahrain First Festival which is organised by the Education Ministry for the ninth consecutive year to express love and loyalty to HM the King.
He said the royal patronage of the event is a source of pride for all, pointing out the ministry’s achievements brought about thanks to the care and support of HM the King and the government. He also presented HM the King with a commemorative gift marking the occasion.
The celebration featured an array of programmes including poetry and an operetta (The Prosperous Era) of six artistic tableaux.
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BNA 1834 GMT 2015/12/30