Dedication to service makes the Catholic School a point of pride for Zarqa

A School Steeped in History

Founded in 1936 as an elementary school, GCSGS expanded in the 1950s and became a secondary school in 1964. Later, it became a girls-only institution. Despite being operated by the Salvatorian Sisters, the school is open to students of all faiths and backgrounds. Currently, it has around 700 students.

Faten Smirat, the school’s director and an alumna, noted that the school’s long-standing reputation for excellence is what drove her to enroll as a student. "The school’s focus on developing students’ characters, not just their minds, sets it apart from other educational institutions," she said. "We aim to build the entire personality of our students by emphasizing social service and community involvement."

Teacher Diana Al Nimri highlighted the importance of the school's "learning by doing" methodology. "We implement new learning techniques that help students become more interactive and creative," she said. "For example, we organize workshops, seminars, and field activities that provide hands-on learning experiences."

Pride in a Strong Curriculum

Smirat also stressed the importance of using the national curriculum, saying it reflects the school’s commitment to faith, knowledge, and virtue. "We are a national educational institution, which means we use the Jordanian curriculum because it aligns with our culture and identity," she said. "The Jordanian curriculum is one of the strongest in the Arab world, and we are proud to be using it."

Ethics, above knowledge, are the main criteria for admission to GCSGS, Smirat added. "Our slogan is simple: faith, knowledge, and virtue."

Current students expressed their pride in being part of the school. Dina Zureikat, a top Tawjihi student in the IT stream, said, "Our teachers are very kind and professional, maintaining discipline without violence, which creates a comfortable learning environment."

A Tradition of Service

Smirat highlighted the school’s emphasis on community involvement. "We liaise with the community by organizing street-cleaning campaigns and visiting the elderly," she said. "Our administration is cooperative, and we work as a team to instill a sense of social responsibility in our students."

GCSGS stands as a beacon of pride in Zarqa, with a tradition of academic excellence and community service. Its dedication to shaping not only the minds but also the characters of its students ensures that it will continue to be a point of pride for generations to come.

Theft of Pumps Partly Blamed for Zarqa Water Shortage

“All 35 water wells have been subject to vandalism and theft, leading to a serious shortage in water supplies,” the official added.

Zubi noted that the headline-grabbing water shortage in Zarqa was partly a result of these attacks. He also pointed out that the influx of refugees from Syria has placed additional pressure on Jordan’s entire water network, including Zarqa.

Moreover, Zubi explained that the Kingdom's fiscal situation has made it difficult for the authority to purchase new equipment. "We need JD50,000 to buy just one pump with its parts," he said.

Zarqa's water is pumped to different areas according to a weekly distribution program, but the system became erratic this summer, causing an outcry in the governorate, which is home to over one million people.

Raad Junaidi, a resident of downtown Zarqa, expressed frustration over the unreliable water supply. “Even when the water comes, the flow is weak and intermittent. It stays only for a short period, which is not enough to store water for our long weekend needs. This forces me to buy water from the black market,” said the retired army medic, adding an extra burden on his limited income.

Junaidi mentioned that he and his neighbors had filed several complaints with the Ministry of Water and Irrigation and the WAJ Zarqa branch, which led to "temporary and inadequate" solutions.

Meanwhile, Imad Momani, a former municipal council member and head of the United Jordanian Front Party’s Zarqa branch, accused the WAJ of preferential treatment in water distribution. “There are subsidiary lines delivering water to certain influential people, taken from the share of the rest,” he claimed.

Responding to this accusation, Zubi denied any preferential treatment, calling it “technically impossible,” though he acknowledged that some public figures in Zarqa might be using their influence for political purposes while owing unpaid water bills.

Momani also alleged that water meant for Zarqa residents was being diverted to Amman, but Zubi clarified that the capital has a legal share of water from the Azraq aquifer, which also feeds Zarqa. “Sometimes we have to cut down on Amman’s share to meet Zarqa's urgent needs,” Zubi said.

Momani called for better planning and timely implementation of the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC)-a funded project aimed at replacing Zarqa’s ageing water network, which records a high percentage of water loss, up to 52 percent.

The MCC extended a $275 million grant to Jordan in October 2010 to renovate and expand water networks in Zarqa Governorate. The grant, which went into effect in December last year, is managed and implemented by the Millennium Challenge Account Jordan. The program includes a $108 million water network project, a $58 million wastewater network project, and a $93 million expansion project for the Sama Wastewater Treatment Plant.

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