Hanif Hassan: UAE national curricula will be the best in the Arab World

HE Dr. Hanif Hassan, Minister of Education assured that the national curricula represent the vision of the UAE's wise leadership and will form the cornerstone of a comprehensive educational system. The curricula will epitomise the best model in the Arab region, and will conform to the advanced global standards, he added.

The minister said that the ministry is currently studying the implementation of the comprehensive educational system consisting of curricula for Arabic language, Islamic sciences and national studies after obtaining the approval of experts and advisors. Yesterday's meeting of the national curriculum committee emphasized the importance of updating the curriculums as they will embody the human aspect in all fields and build a strong foundation for the knowledge and skills of UAE nationals.

'It has become necessary for all of us to update the national curriculum that fulfils our leaders' great expectations and ambitions. The younger generations are the cornerstone of any nation's development and progress," he elaborated.

The minister hailed the strong support to education given by President HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, HH General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, crown prince of Abu Dhabi and deputy supreme commander of the UAE Armed Forces and HH Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Presidential Affairs, Deputy Chairman of Abu Dhabi Education Council.

Dr. Hanif Hassan pointed out that the purpose of reviewing and improving the national curriculum was to change subjects and their content, as well as the general framework. Particular attention has been given to the syllabi of Arabic language, Islamic sciences and national education, as they formulate a student's basic attitude, upon which the knowledge and skills are built.

The national curriculum development committee held its fifth meeting yesterday at the premises of the Presidential Affairs Ministry in Abu Dhabi. The committee is chaired by the Minister of Education and is composed of HE Abdul Rahman Al Owais, Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development, Ahmed Mohammad Al Humairi, Secretary General of Presidential Affairs Minister, Najla Al Awar, Secretary General of the Cabinet Affairs Minister, Rashid Salem Al Nuaimi, Director General of the Ministry of Education, Dr. Fawzia Badri, Executive Director of Education Affairs and Khulood Saqr Al Qasimi, Director of Curriculum Department at the Ministry of Education.

The meeting reviewed the report on the Arabic Language Efficiency Test presented by the UAE University, the timeframe for developing the textbooks and the criteria for selecting Arabic language teachers.