E Library

The Royal Hashemite Documentation Center has published a new book titled “Salem Saqr Al-Ma‘ani: The Biography of Awareness and Educational Renaissance,” documenting the life of the first teacher from Ma’an and one of the pioneers of education in Jordan.

The book explores the life of Salem Saqr Al-Ma‘ani (1919–1976), who contributed to shaping the early features of Jordanian education through his work in the field of education between 1939 and 1959. In this publication, Professor Dr. Walid Al-Ma‘ani presents the biography of his father, who is considered one of the Jordanian elite and among the leaders educated in prominent schools such as Al-Karak Secondary School and Al-Salt Secondary School.

This book serves as a living testimony to the profound transformations witnessed in the educational process in Jordan over more than four decades. Through the story of a teacher and educational leader, it goes beyond a personal narrative to become a historical document that traces the development of education within its social and geographical contexts—from urban centers to remote areas, and from limited resources to attempts at modernization and reform.

The book includes dozens of documents and photographs that illustrate a journey full of challenges, reflecting the reality of the Jordanian teacher across different stages, where roles often overlapped between education as a mission and as a profession, within varying economic and institutional conditions.

This biography is characterized by a scholarly and analytical approach; it does not merely recount events but seeks to interpret them and connect them to their broader context, drawing on extensive field experience enriched by direct observation and daily interaction with students and the community. It also raises fundamental questions about the status of the teacher and their role in shaping individuals amid rapid changes affecting the nature of the educational process.

In addition to documenting the life of an individual, the book serves as a mirror reflecting the history of education in Jordan.

Through publishing such national biographies, the Center seeks to affirm its role in preserving national memory and highlighting the importance of education and societal components in building the Jordanian state.