King Saud’s encouragement of education was not limited to his own country; rather, his efforts extended to other Arab nations as well. His Majesty donated— as shown in the following decree— an annual sum of thirty thousand pounds sterling for the education of the children of Palestinian refugees in the sister nation of Syria.
To the esteemed reader, here is the text of the decree issued by the Director of the Refugee Agency in Syria regarding this matter. The decree speaks for itself, for its content alone conveys the noble purpose behind this exceptional support for education offered by His Majesty King Saud.
Whereas His Majesty King Saud, King of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, has donated the amount of thirty thousand pounds sterling to be spent on Palestinian refugees in Syria under the supervision of the Directorate of the Palestinian Refugee Agency;
And whereas the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has stated that this donation will be annual, and that he has already delivered to the Director of the Palestinian Refugee Agency the amount for two years, by financial transfer No. 4/1/7/220 dated 27/3/1375 AH and cheque No. 6 dated 4/2/1375 AH;
And whereas the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has expressed the desire that the Refugee Agency allocate this donation to the establishment of an orphanage for boys and another for girls, one to house a number of orphaned boys and the other a number of orphaned girls from among the Palestinian refugees;
And whereas the Directorate of the Agency has addressed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in its letter dated 14/11/1955 No. J/3/4559, and the Ministry of Interior in its letter dated 14/11/1955 No. J/2/4562, regarding this matter;
Therefore, the Director of the Refugee Agency decrees the following:
Article 1
The establishment of an institute named “The Saudi Institute for the Children of Palestinian Refugees in Syria.”
The institute shall be funded by the amount donated by His Majesty King Saud, as well as by any additional donations allocated to it, and by funds designated for it in the annual budget of the Palestinian Refugee Agency.
Article 2
The institute shall consist of two branches:
- One for boys, admitting a number of orphaned sons of Palestinian refugees;
- The other for girls, admitting a number of orphaned daughters of Palestinian refugees;
Each branch shall accommodate no more than one hundred students.
Article 3
The Director of the Palestinian Refugee Agency shall issue the necessary financial and internal regulations for the operation of the institute. He shall determine the required positions annually, set the conditions for these positions, appoint all employees and staff, and terminate their services in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.
Article 4
This decree shall be announced and communicated to all concerned for implementation.
Director of the Refugee Agency
Signature: Salim al‑Yafi
Reference: General Directory of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, by Abdul‑Mu‘een Bashnaq.