Latin Patriarchate School in Samakia

History & Summary

Located in the far south of Jordan, the town of Al-Smakieh has produced many devoted priests and nuns who have served the Church and communities with faith and love. The Latin Patriarchate School in Al-Smakieh was established in 1912, initially welcoming both boys and girls from grades 1 to 6. Girls were taught by nuns, while boys were taught by male teachers from the local village. The school gradually expanded its educational offerings, reaching up to the ninth grade by the early 1960s. Among its notable graduates are prominent figures such as Saba Al-Akshah, Ibrahim Hijazin, Hani Hijazin, and Yaqub Al-Zayadin, who have held important positions within the state. In 1990, a new school building was constructed with support from the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre, providing enhanced facilities. The school offers a broad academic curriculum taught by university graduates in various specializations. It actively participates in cultural, artistic, and athletic competitions within the Ministry of Education directorates and the network of Latin Patriarchate schools. The Patriarchate later established a large, model school in the Wasiya area near Al-Smakieh, serving the wider Karak Governorate. This development led to the closure of the upper three grades at Al-Smakieh, as students transitioned to the new school for advanced education and development. Currently, the Al-Smakieh school serves students from KG1 through grade 8, maintaining close cooperation between the school administration and the parish priest, who is dedicated to the ongoing advancement of the school, its students, and the parish community