Education must become our highest priority — Prince Hassan

AMMAN — HRH Prince Hassan on Monday said that education is the only tool to understand and consequently tackle human, economic, geographical and environmental concerns.

Delivering a speech at a UNICEF-organised conference titled “Quality Learning Through Life Skills”, the prince explained that humanitarianism is a basic orientation towards the interests and welfare of people.  

“It encompasses respect for human life, a responsibility toward future generations and the human environment,” he said.

“If we are going to bridge the gap between education and the labour market, we need to look at human beings as capabilities and not merely as numbers and digits,” the prince added.

Prince Hassan, who is president of the Arab Thought Forum, also noted that education systems that place human dignity at their core enhance citizenship merits. 

“From a policy level, life skills education means preparing a citizenry capable of facing the challenges of life as a society comprised of diverse individuals,” he noted.

“We need to formulate a value-based education for citizenship that can be a catalyst for social positive transformation,” the prince said in his speech, a copy of which was sent to The Jordan Times.

He explained that values of tolerance and coexistence are built primarily through dialogue. “Dialogue can build bridges of cooperation between different cultures and faiths by unmasking stereotypes and clarifying misconceptions.”

“Education must become our highest priority.  More than classrooms, textbooks and qualified teachers, it means access to the latest available technology and appreciation of its human and social impact.”