COLORFUL PRIZE DISTRIBUTION CEREMONY
SAUDI ARABIAN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS (PAK SEC.)
AL KHOBAR
Report M. Ishaq N. Rana

(Khobar January 26, 2000) A magnificent and memorable prize distribution ceremony for the school year 1999-2000 was held at Saudi Arabian International Schools (Pakistani Section) well known as Pakistani Community School, Al-Khobar on 25th January, where hundreds of parents, brothers, sisters and friends of award winning students of Khobar, Dammam, Dhahran, Abqaiq, Ras Tanura, Rahima and other areas attended this colorful ceremony.  The Chief Guest of this prize distribution ceremony was Mr. Tassawar Khan, First Secretary, Embassy of Pakistan who arrived from Riyadh especially for this function. The other prominent guests included Mr. Mubarik Hamd Bubshait, Director Foreign Education, in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia, the chairman School Board Mr. Doctor Bashir Ahmed Naz, VP, Mr. Shaukat Ali, GS, Ziaullah Bari, members Mohammad Naseem Pasha and Abdul Sattar and Principal Omar Farooq. Also present at this occasion were Executive members of Pakistani Community Council and parent's forum, and heads of other social organizations and other prominent Pakistanis professionals and businessmen.  Mr. Faizi as usual performing as stage secretary called upon Hafiz Abdul Ghaffar for the recitation from the Holy Quraan. Syed Jaffer Azim recited the Na'at -e -Rasool. Mr. Faizi is not only a good teacher but also a best compare and always makes the event beautiful with poetry of different poets particularly our national poet Alama Iqbal and encouraging remarks.

To make this event memorable children dressed in colorful costumes representing all the provinces of Pakistan presented folk dances. They also sung national songs. The songs roused the feeling of nationhood and every body present there felt that they were some where in their beloved motherland. The children were given a rousing appreciation with clapping. The Principal Mr. Omar Farooq Minhas thanked the Chief Guest, Board of Directors and other guests and congratulated the parents, teachers and students for their mutual efforts that have made the 1999-2000 school year a success. He proudly announced that this Institution has as in the past the best results of Secondary and Higher Secondary class in the Kingdom's schools and kept its first position. This is the proof of hard work on the part of students, parents and particularly the teachers who are teaching in both the shifts that is not an easy task. In 2000 the higher secondary school result has been 95%. Most of the A1 grade students have already enrolled in reputable Medical, Engineering and Information Technology Institutions of Pakistan. Despite of not having ground facilities we are providing our students all sorts of extra curricular activities, including outdoor games like cricket, football, squash. Also we hold quiz, speech essay writing, Quraan recitation competitions to create leadership qualities in the students. In the end he requested the parents for the observance of strict discipline. He said, some times we have to be little hard on students and that is purely for the sake of making them not a good student but a good and respectable citizen. They are the future of our country. He thanked the board of directors for their dedicated hard work to make the school more competitive in the area.
The chairman SAIS Dr. Bashir Ahmed Naz on behalf of the board members thanked the chief and other guests and congratulated parents and students for achieving their goals and said this is not the end they have to do more hard work and also advised the other who could not secure any position to work hard to grab top position. This way the sense of competition continues. He congratulated the parents and teacher for their hard work and guidance. He briefly discussed the financial problems the school had been facing and assured them that the problems have been solved and now we look forward for the betterment of standard of education and other facilities too. He thanked Pakistani Embassy and same time mentioned some reservations that Embassy did not come forward when we really needed their help. Anyway we thank them because we have no other door to knock at the time of help. He thanked the Ministry of Education Officer for extending all sorts of help. He said he is proud of this Institution that is considered one of the best in the International schools and paid homage to its founder Abbas Hussain Malik who made this school at the time when it was needed. We will never forget his kindness to the Pakistani community.  Mr. Tassawar Khan the Chief Guest of the thanked the board of directors and management for organizing such a disciplined and beautiful function. He said I am really happy to learn the good results of school and congratulated the board, school management, teachers, parents and the students for outstanding results of this school. This off course show the hard work and dedication by all the segments of school. He said I am very well aware of the problems of this school had and thanked Allah, all the problems are solved and the school is back on track again. Being a Liaison between Embassy and School, he offered his services. Finally the prizes were given to the first, second and third position holders for academics. Also the prices were given for extracurricular activities that included, Games particularly cricket, football, squash and table tennis. Awards were given for arts, quiz, essay, speech, debate and recitation from the Holy Quraan competition. Gold medal was given to Ahsan Riaz a student of HSSC for obtaining highest marks 894 out of 1100. The best student award went to Amir Muzzamil, M. Sheharyar khan won most obedient and regular student award. Dinner was served to the distinguished guests.