The social studies and national upbringing courses undergo certain developments. New school books are introduced to each semester. The new books focus on heightening the sense of belonging and loyalty and enlighten the tremendous efforts made by the early Emirati figures that contributed to building the country and affording the success and pioneering grounds.
In this context, the Ministry of Education (MOE) added “Zayed: The Exceptional Leader” Book written by the Emirati author Ali Abul Rish and an activity book to the 8th grade social studies and national upbringing course this semester. The Middle School Curriculum Department in the MOE set a range of learning objectives and outputs that contribute to spreading the seeds of the thinking of His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, may Allah bless his soul, in the students’ minds. The book summarizes the most prominent personal characteristics of His Highness Sheikh Zayed and gives a review of his bright situations in the different Arab and regional fair issues.
The Social Studies and National Upbringing staff in the department prepared an activity book to be attached to the book. The activity book covers the specialized skills of the course and the higher thinking skills. The main objective of the activity book is to link students to their environment and society, develop their national identity and sharpen their sense of loyalty and belonging. The activities contained in the book have a pure national touch as they link the new developments on the local level to the regional as well as international events.
His Highness Hussain Al Hammadi, Minister of Education, said that the deceased Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, may Allah bless his soul, was wise, strict just and tolerant. The MOE seeks to establish such values in our students’ minds through “Zayed: The Exceptional Leader” book and the activity book attached to it.
He pointed out that “Zayed: The Exceptional Leader” book tells the story of a man who has built and established with his fellow men in the Federal Supreme Council of UAE rulers an idiosyncratic country. That is the reason we sought to teach our students the way of thinking of the deceased Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, may Allah bless his soul. Such way of thinking made a difference and placed the UAE with the developed countries and implied goodness, tolerance and equality among people no matter what their color or religion is.
His Highness stated that the MOE pursues to build an integrated personality under the umbrella of the Emirati School through the curricula in which the MOE focused on providing the students with the modern various knowledge without disregarding teaching the students their cultural and historical heritage and linking them to it. It will help in developing their national identity and sharpen their sense of loyalty and belonging. He said that the book, with the information it contains about a historical character whose name is related to honorable humane situations, is an added value to the Emirati school not only on the local level, but on the regional and international level as well, referring to the bright lines written by the deceased in the human history.
The book which consists three units reviews the charismatic character of the constructor and founder, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, may Allah bless his soul, in a philosophical way and the emotional and cultural bond between him and his people. Upon the preparation of the activity book distributed with the main book, the MOE depended on the federal strategy, UAE vision 2021, national agenda, general unified framework of the curriculum standards and assessment 2014 and the document of the founder of the UAE 2014.
The first unit highlights several modern issues; the most prominent of which is the role of women and building the federation and youth. He referred to the honorable, historical, leading and central role the deceased performed in the Palestinian issue as well as other Arab and international issues.
The second unit of the activity book covers the charismatic character of the deceased, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, may Allah bless his soul, and the effect of horsemanship and desert in forming his character. The second unit shows his adherence to the original Arab traditions and conventions and his remarkable wisdom in leading the country. It shows how he dealt with the burning issues at that time. It dedicated a section called “They said about Sheikh Zayed”.
The third and last unit included several poems of the Nabataean poetry written by citizen poets, in which they addressed the commendable characteristics of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, may Allah bless his soul and grant him peace. The author of the book included a study of these poems. The Social Studies staff designed applied activities and provided schools with the poems recorded by an Emirati poet. The students listen to and analyze the poems and draw the lessons and morals out of them.
26/04/2017