DUBAI — The Minister of Education, Dr Hanif Hassan Ali, has reiterated the ministry’s determination to develop and upgrade Arabic curricula and teaching methods in schools.
This, he said, would keep students informed of the modern use of the language in all walks of life.
The minister was speaking on the sidelines of a function held at the ministry on Sunday, where he honoured two students for performing well at a public speaking contest organised by the Arab League in association with the Ministry of Education in Egypt.
Ahmed Matar Al Neyadi from Al Dahma Secondary Model School in Al Ain bagged the second place, while Saif Ali Al Ka’abi of Al Weshah elementary school in Sharjah got the fourth place.
According to the minister, a strong focus on Arabic would help students gain basic skills for reading, writing and expression.
“Arabic language plays an essential role in deepening our cultural identity and expresses cultural speciality,” he said.
Dr Hassan also praised the country’s leadership for earmarking 2008 as the ‘Year of National Identity’.
He urged the winners to continue to further develop their oratory skills and keep in touch with their counterparts in other countries to learn from their experiences and pass them to their colleagues inside the country.
“We’ll strongly back such participation and provide contestants with all means to sharpen their skills and spur them to excel,” he said.
The minister also honoured Aysha Khalfan Al Matawa of Al Dhahra Elementary and Secondary School (Hatta) for bagging the first position in the GCC Mathematics Olympiad organised in Qatar recently.