Every Friday during Ramadan, students in Abu Dhabi schools will step out of their classrooms to engage in hands-on community service, following a new directive by the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK), announced on Friday.
The initiative, Service-Learning Fridays, aligns with the UAE’s Year of Community and aims to promote character development among students by integrating real-world impact into their learning experiences.
Instead of traditional lessons, students will engage in various social initiatives, including environmental conservation projects, cultural preservation efforts, and activities supporting People of Determination. ADEK has partnered with local organisations to ensure meaningful experiences tailored to different age groups.
“Education is about understanding the world and shaping it for the better,” ADEK said in a statement. “Service Learning Fridays will give students the chance to apply their knowledge in real-life contexts, helping them see the direct impact of what they learn in school.”
Sawsan Tarabishy, Principal of Bashair Private School, said her school has been committed to similar initiatives since the start of the academic term, focusing on hands-on experiences that enhance students’ sense of community.
“Our students have been participating in environmentally friendly projects alongside People of Determination, including a cleaning activity at Mohammed bin Zayed City Public Park and gardening at Al Waha Park.”
Tarabishy welcomed ADEK’s decision to formally designate a day for service learning. “Now that ADEK has dedicated a day for such initiatives, it will help boost participation and reinforce positive behaviour among young people. This is a great opportunity to incorporate service learning in an organised and impactful manner.”
Beyond community service, Bashair Private School has also allocated Fridays for creative activities, such as Career Day, where students dress up in the attire of certain professions, and Sustainability Day, where they design hats and T-shirts from recyclable materials. “Today, we celebrated ‘Ramadan Around the World Day’ to embrace tolerance and cultural heritage.”
After learning about ADEK’s directive, Tarabishy said she is already planning new Ramadan-themed activities. “The first activity we could carry out next week is a visit to a senior citizens’ home, where students can engage with the elderly and wish them a happy Ramadan,” she said.
“We can also continue involving People of Determination in Ramadan-related activities, like preparing Iftar meals for the less fortunate.”
Heba Abu Yaqeen, a 39-year-old Jordanian mother of four and an environmental health and safety (EHS) officer, said the initiative is valuable in developing teamwork, responsibility, leadership, communication, and innovation skills.
However, she questioned the timing of its launch. “I feel it won’t be convenient for students to do outdoor social activities during Ramadan,” she said. “Time is already limited due to shorter school hours, and by the second Friday, many students will be busy preparing for their exams.”
Abu Yaqeen suggested extending the initiative across the entire academic year to maximise its impact.
“It would be amazing to have these activities all year long,” she said. “Launching it in Ramadan might work well for younger students – KG1 to Grade 3 – but for older children, who will be fasting and staying up late to study and pray, it’s not ideal.”
Her younger children, in Grade 5 and KG1, have been actively participating in school-led activities this year, but she noted that her older children, in Grades 11 and 9, attend a school that rarely organises such programmes. “At their school, Fridays are usually dedicated to music, PE, and extra classes, so they often choose to stay home and study instead,” she said. “I wish they had productive Friday programmes all year long, just like their younger siblings.”
Ahmed El-Sedawy, Chairman of the Parents Council, hailed the initiative as a reflection of the UAE’s commitment to fostering community engagement. “This is a fantastic initiative by ADEK. Following the announcement by President Sheikh Mohamed, naming 2025 the Year of Community, Service Learning Fridays provides a wonderful opportunity for students in Abu Dhabi schools to actively contribute to their community,” he said.
“It’s inspiring to see how this programme integrates learning with real-world impact, empowering students to make a difference. This initiative truly reflects how the UAE’s commitment to diversity and inclusion strengthens and empowers the entire community.”
© Khaleej Times
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