“Chess in Schools” in Libya

FIDE President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov and Mr. Muhammad al-Gaddafi, Head of the Libyan Olympic Committee

“Chess in Schools” in Libya
Monday, 04 July 2011 09:59

On the 4th of July, FIDE President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov arrived in Tripoli, Libya and met with Mr. Muhammad al-Gaddafi, Head of the Libyan Olympic Committee.

Later Kirsan Ilyumzhinov met Dr. Abdulkabir Fakhry, Minister of Education and Science of Libya.

They discussed a draft agreement between FIDE and the Libyan government, i.e. the Libyan Ministry of Education and Science, on the “Chess in Schools” programme realization. The Libyan Minister noted that the agreement will be of great importance for Libyan education and heartily thanked the FIDE President for the attention he pays to this question at such a complicated time in the country. In addition Dr. Abdulkabir Fakhry laid special emphasis on the role and individual contribution of Kirsan Ilyumzhinov.

It is planned that chess lessons will be phased into the curriculum of Libyan schools. At the suggestion of Kirsan Ilyumzhinov, starting from the new school year (1st October), chess will be implemented as a pilot project in the obligatory education programme in 20 Libyan schools.

Also seminars for chess teachers will be organized by FIDE and the translation of the methodological books into Arabic will be financed by the Ministry of Education and Science of Libya.

As a result of the negotiations it was agreed by the Parties to sign the final agreement by the end of July 2011.