The Year of Zayed may be drawing to a close but the lasting legacy of the country’s Founding Father will be felt for decades to come.
Throughout 2018, teachers from across the Emirates have been educating youngsters about the pioneering achievements of Sheikh Zayed.
As part of plans to continue that theme into next year, social studies teachers will now taught how best to relay key moments of Sheikh Zayed’s journey to their students.
The Ministry of Education has also announced that state schools will expand their curriculum to include more classes on the life of Sheikh Zayed in the next academic year.
Ayesha Al Qumzi, an Emirati mother from Abu Dhabi who has a daughter in grade four and a son in grade eight, said it was critical that the next generation learnt about Sheikh Zayed’s life.
“In my opinion social studies should focus a lot more on Sheikh Zayed and his life in the UAE,” she said.
“It’s important for the next generation to know about Sheikh Zayed. We need more focus on how he led the union and the story of the union.”
At Dwight School Dubai, which opened this year, the late ruler’s vision in helping put the UAE on the map continues to resonate with both staff and pupils.
Classes have been reflecting on the impact of his leadership by penning poems and making posters and videos, with the results of their efforts put on display during National Day next month.
Gems International School, meanwhile, also launched a campaign – called Smile for Zayed – in which pupils carried out acts of kindness by way of a tribute.
And Cranleigh Abu Dhabi school created an opera which integrated the history of the UAE with Sheikh Zayed’s message of sustainability.
Water in the Desert: A Zayed Legacy was inspired by Sheikh Zayed’s love of the environment and his belief that water is the country’s most valuable resource.
The social studies curriculum at Al Yasmina Academy, in Abu Dhabi, has also evolved in recent years to incorporate Sheikh Zayed.
Ghareib Abdelrahman, a social studies teacher at the academy, said pupils could become leaders of the future by learning the lessons from the UAE’s past.
“We’re hopeful that pupils will gain the quality of leadership from Sheikh Zayed by learning about him in their social studies class,” he said.
“These leadership qualities will help them build and lead the nation.”
Hala Jijakli, also a social studies teacher at the academy, said parents were keen for children to immerse themselves in the story of how the country was founded.
“Knowing about Sheikh Zayed’s life guides the students to gain the same leadership qualities,” she said.
“Parents have shown great interest in having their children learn about Sheikh Zayed’s history and achievements in a way that will help them to understand the history of the UAE.”
Rafeef Kadhum, assistant headteacher at The British School Al Khubairat in Abu Dhabi, said the school’s curriculum now included studying the life and times of Sheikh Zayed.
She said the changes had effected years three to five but should be broadened out to other grades as well.
“Sheikh Zayed is inextricably linked to the history of UAE,” she said. “It [the curriculum changes] have been welcomed as Sheikh Zayed is the most important historical figure in the country.
“We feel that it should be included across all the years so that pupils’ knowledge deepens.”
© The National
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