By ARAB NEWS

JEDDAH: Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah has ordered the allocation of SR476 million annually to support the public education of poor students in the Kingdom, Education Minister Prince Faisal bin Abdullah announced on Sunday.

Prince Faisal, chairman of the board of trustees of the Solidarity Charitable Foundation, said the funds would enable his organization to make effective contributions to realize the national strategy for social development envisioned by the king.

He said the foundation would support poor orphans and other needy students studying at about 30,000 schools under the Ministry of Education. The Riyadh-based foundation is an independent organization and will have its branches in all cities.

Prince Faisal said the foundation would supply the students’ academic requirements, summer and winter clothing and sportswear. It will provide them with food and some of their essential household requirements. The students will also receive technical and vocational training.