Dubai: The national social development programme dedicated to preserve the national identity of the UAE is teaming up with the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) to upgrade the social and civil educational and curricular systems in the country.
Launched in 2005, the Watani Programme was initiated to promote the UAE national identity and practices of good citizenship within the UAE's diverse and multi-cultural society.
On Thursday representatives from the programme signed a memorandum of understanding with KHDA to enhance awareness of national identity in schools in Dubai in both the public and private sectors.
"There is a weak sense of belonging among teenagers. Through combined efforts and national programmes we want to strengthen pupils' sense of national identity. It is not only aimed at UAE nationals, but at all nationalities present on UAE soil," said Fatima Al Merri, CEO of the Dubai Schools Agency.
Watani and KHDA will launch a number of sports, educational, and entertainment activities focused on developing a better understanding of the UAE's cultural and social customs and traditions.
The participants will be offered opportunities to discover aspects of the UAE heritage through a variety of activities, ranging from hospitality and greeting traditions to dhow navigation, astrology, compass reading and healing with herbs.
"The development of a social education syllabus that takes into consideration the UAE's history, culture, social and religious traditions and the diverse set up of the UAE society today will be the focus of our partnership with the KHDA," said Ahmad Al Mansouri, director-general of Watani.
According to Al Merri, Arabic teaching will be emphasised in private schools and they will be developing the current Arabic curriculum for non-Arab speakers. An earlier inspection last year revealed that 15 private schools in Dubai did not teach Arabic at all. KHDA has notified these schools to implement Arabic.
We want to strengthen pupils' sense of national identity. It is not only aimed at UAE nationals, but at all ... in the UAE."
By Siham Al Najami, Staff Reporter