Jeddah Mayor’s Office announced the completion of the SR 185 million seafront development project and declared it open yesterday even though maintenance and road pavement works continued in the area.
The corniche, which is decorated by palm trees and lighting poles along the beach, saw thousands of people descend upon the saplings, many of which were destroyed. Other facilities where work continued include public toilets and commercial kiosks, which are yet to be handed over to investors.
The northern sea front development included green spaces, seven fountains on the beach and 24 in the sea, car parking, restaurants, coffee shops and playgrounds for children. The entire area is equipped with ramps for the handicapped. There are several high locations overlooking the sea and zones for swimming, as well as a walkway along the shore. The development project stretches for 8.3 km, starting from Annawras Square in the north to the Border Guard Center in the south. Infrastructure projects of rainwater drainage and sewer networks are also included, as well as power fittings.
An official at the Mayor’s Office said cleaning and removing construction waste, in addition to finalizing the 100 public toilets are the the only works remaining to be completed.
The opening of the waterfront was postponed for a month to finalize the awarding of kiosks and restaurants to investors who will operate them.
On Friday, Mayor Hani Abu Ras ordered the police to take action against young men who vandalized the new beach project.
“Abu Ras was present at the beach project under construction when two joyriding vehicles ran over the newly planted green area and drove on the pedestrian paths and pavement. The mayor blocked their destructive activities by standing in front of one of the vehicles. On seeing the mayor calling police, the joyriders fled the scene,” Galal Khatib, director of projects of the contracting company, told Al-Madinah daily.
However, the mayor had noted down the registration numbers of the cars and handed them to police for necessary action, Khatib said.
The mayor arrived at the place without any previous announcement to view the progress of the work and ensure it would be ready for opening shortly.
Khatib said some people disfigured the seats facing the sea and the garden on an earlier occasion. The street lighting was also damaged by some anti-social elements. On Friday a large number of people including families entered the project area. Another group of youths vandalized the closed toilets from outside. They broke windows, damaged water taps and wrecked the loud speakers meant for prayer calls and announcement of festival events. They also removed some traffic barriers and damaged vehicles of the contracting company, he said.
He added that some people even cooked in the green area and damaged the place seriously.
Renovated corniche declared open
Renovated corniche declared open
Standing alongside passionate, innovative teachers from around the world humbling and inspiring: Saudi teacher
- Saeed Salem Abdullah Al-Zahrani, a primary teacher from Jubail, named in the top 50 shortlist for $1 million GEMS Global Teacher Prize 2026
RIYADH: Saeed Salem Abdullah Al-Zahrani, a primary school teacher at Al-Mutrafiyah Elementary School in Jubail Industrial City, has been shortlisted for the GEMS Education Global Teacher Prize 2026.
Al-Zahrani has been named on the top 50 shortlist for the prize, a Varkey Foundation initiative organized in collaboration with UNESCO.
He was selected from over 5,000 nominations and applications from 139 countries.
Now in its 10th year, the $1 million prize is the largest of its kind. It was set up to recognize one exceptional teacher who has made an outstanding contribution to the profession as well as to shine a spotlight on the important role teachers play in society.
By unearthing thousands of stories of heroes who have transformed young people’s lives, the prize hopes to bring to life the exceptional work of teachers all over the world.
Reacting to his shortlisting, Al-Zahrani told Arab News: “I am extremely honored to be among the top 50 finalists for the Global Teacher Prize. Standing alongside so many passionate and innovative teachers from around the world is both humbling and inspiring.
“I extend my sincere thanks to the Varkey Foundation, GEMS Education, and UNESCO for recognizing the vital work that teachers carry out every day. Teachers everywhere help ignite curiosity and give young people the confidence to pursue their ambitions, and I am proud to be part of this mission,” he added.
“This prize has provided us a global platform to amplify the voice of teachers and has entrusted us with a deeper responsibility to continue working toward more impactful and humane education — one that believes the mission of education transcends borders and makes a real difference in the lives of individuals and communities,” he said.
Al-Zahrani is a distinguished Saudi educator, renowned for his innovative programs and commitment to inclusive, high-quality education. Teaching at Al-Mutrafiyah Elementary School. He has developed initiatives such as “The Challenge,” “Maher,” and “Steps,” improving reading, writing, and learning outcomes for students of all abilities.
These programs have been adopted in Royal Commission kindergartens and praised by the Minister of Education Yousef Al-Benyan.
Holding a doctorate in linguistics and a masters in counseling psychology, Al-Zahrani integrates storytelling, interactive digital tools, and personalized learning to ensure every student reaches their potential.
He has published research in peer-reviewed journals, presented internationally, and trained teachers across Saudi Arabia and beyond.
Founder of the Global Teacher Prize, GEMS Education, and The Varkey Foundation, Sunny Varkey, said: “Congratulations, Saeed. The Global Teacher Prize was created with a simple mission: to shine a light on teachers like you — educators whose dedication, creativity, and compassion deserve to be celebrated and shared with the world. Your work extends far beyond the classroom — it touches lives and shapes the world.”
UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Education Stefania Giannini, said: “Congratulations to this year’s top 50 finalists. UNESCO is honored to stand alongside the Global Teacher Prize in celebrating the extraordinary commitment of teachers everywhere. Our world is navigating profound challenges — from teacher shortages and rapid technological shifts to the urgent demands of climate action. If we are to build a just, inclusive and sustainable future, we must recognize a simple truth: we cannot rise to this moment unless we invest in teachers.”
GEMS Education is one of the world’s leading private K-12 education providers, educating more than 200,000 students of more than 175 nationalities across its global network of owned and managed schools. With nearly half a million alumni, GEMS has built a legacy of impact that spans generations and continents. Established in Dubai in 1959, GEMS remains a family-founded and family-led organization.
The prize is open to working teachers who teach children in compulsory schooling or who are between the ages of 5-18. Teachers who educate children age 4 and over in a government-recognized curriculum are also eligible, as are teachers working on a part-time basis, and teachers of online courses. It is open to teachers in every kind of school and, subject to local laws, in every country in the world.
Teachers applying for the Global Teacher Prize are assessed on teaching practices, how they innovate to address local challenges, achieve demonstrable learning outcomes, impact the community beyond the classroom, help children become global citizens, improve the teaching profession, and gain recognition from external bodies.
The prize will now be narrowed down to the top 10 finalists, and the winner will be chosen by the Global Teacher Prize Academy, made up of prominent individuals, and announced at the World Governments Summit, taking place in Dubai Feb. 3-5, 2026.
