7 recommendations for integrating national identity into the curricula of private schools in Abu Dhabi

The Department of Education and Knowledge – Abu Dhabi presented seven recommendations for private schools, to enhance a strong sense of national identity and a common understanding of the culture of the UAE among members of the school community, as the school performance dashboard, which was created by the department with the aim of raising the level of transparency and responsibility, and promoting a culture of continuous improvement in all schools, showed, Eight private schools received an “outstanding” rating in the “National Identity Mark” evaluation results, while 36 schools received a “good” rating, 88 schools received an “acceptable” rating, in addition to 36 schools receiving a “weak” rating.

In detail, the Department of Education and Knowledge – Abu Dhabi confirmed that the national identity programs and activities implemented in schools encourage those concerned to adopt best practices in integrating national identity into their educational curricula and school culture, noting that the evaluation covers three main axes, covering nine elements, including the axis of cultural heritage and The Arabic language, history, and heritage, the values ​​axis, which includes respect, empathy, and global understanding, and finally, the citizenship axis, which focuses on the elements of belonging, volunteering, and preserving the environment.

The reports published on the department’s official website, which Emirates Today reviewed, explained the need for schools to ensure comprehensive modification of the educational curriculum, to fully integrate all elements of cultural heritage, values, and positive citizenship in all subjects and grades, with clear and meaningful links to the UAE, and to provide a group It is one of the available educational resources designed to engage students and educate them about the heritage and history of the UAE, and provide educational opportunities and experiences for students that develop their knowledge of the meanings and connotations that lie behind the colors of the UAE flag.

The recommendations presented by the department to schools included ensuring that all students perform the national anthem daily, enhancing their understanding of its words and connotations, cooperating with external organizations and community members to develop students’ knowledge of the UAE’s history and heritage, increasing their awareness of the country’s global influence in various fields, and enhancing students’ knowledge and understanding of the interactions of its leaders. The UAE and their compassionate practices, their global contributions, and their efforts in the fields of humanitarian work and environmental conservation at the local and global levels, in addition to enhancing citizenship skills among… Students, providing a wide range of opportunities inside and outside school for students in all courses.

While the department directed schools that received an “outstanding” rating to develop a system to evaluate the impact of the applied practices on students and the school community, encourage and enhance students’ use of the Arabic language to ensure effective communication, improve systems and strategies to ensure the continuity of the practice of consecrating a distinct national identity at the school community level, and enhance a supportive environment. It enables students to develop their problem-solving skills and contribute to making a positive impact on society and the environment, in addition to working on transferring knowledge and exchanging best practices with other schools.

Arabic

Reports of the results of the evaluation of the national identity mark in private schools in Abu Dhabi showed that the Arabic language needs support, improvement of teaching methods, and raising the level of student achievement in it, in many schools, as the schools shared the need to integrate the Arabic language in all subjects and levels of study, and oblige teachers Subjects taught in Arabic using classical Arabic regularly when teaching and interacting with students, and providing broader and more comprehensive learning resources in Arabic, in addition to the need to provide external opportunities for students to enhance the development of their skills in the Arabic language, such as involving them in reading competitions. And poetry.