New phase of Zimam programme to benefit underprivileged children
TRAINING PROGRAMME: 560 students from 18 schools to attend the courses
MUSCAT: Hundreds of underprivileged Omani schoolchildren will benefit from a new phase of the Zimam National Leadership Programme (Schools), which is being rolled out in March.
A total of 560 male and female students of underprivileged background and 48 teachers selected from 18 schools in the governorates of Dhofar, North and South Al Batinah will attend two-day courses funded by the Omani Authority for Partnership for Development (OAPFD), organised and delivered by Oman Sail’s Corporate and Personal Development (CPD) Team, in coordination with the Ministry of Education.
48 teachers selected from the targeted schools will receive a training day before the start of the programme to enhance the training and evaluation skills of the trainers in order to ensure the sustainability of the programme and the application of these skills during the teaching phase.
Led by facilitators skilled in outdoor education and experiential learning techniques, the programme aims to develop schoolchildren’s interpersonal skills with a focus on recognised competencies of selfleadership, teamwork, communication, creativity, problem-solving and confidence development.
The latest phase of the Zimam National Leadership Programme (Schools) follows a successful pilot project carried out early last year, which generated extremely positive feedback from the schools and colleges involved.
By intervening at a key stage in the personal development of young people there is an enormous potential for self-improvement,” said Dr Dhafir Awadh al Shanfari, CEO of the OAPFD.
Ultimately, along with the transformation of young lives, initiatives like the Zimam National Leadership Programme will bring long-term benefits to Oman’s economy and enhance the Sultanate’s ability to compete in the global marketplace”.
David Graham, CEO of partner organisation Oman Sail, said: “Our long experience and expertise in training sailors has demonstrated that outdoor education and learning through doing opens up new mind-sets and inspires young people in ways that classroom teaching alone cannot.
The Zimam National Leadership Programme complements the schools’ academic curriculum and is a positive contribution towards helping the next generation of Omanis reach their potential and achieve their dreams”.
During the ceremony, a Cooperation Agreement was signed between OAPFD and the Ministry of Education to facilitate the enrolment of kids into the programme.
Dr Sana al Balushi, Director-general of The National Career Guidance Centre at Ministry of Education, said, Our tie-in with OAPFD and Oman Sail will expose the students to a wide array of extracurricular opportunities that will enrich their educational journeys.
The programme has proven to be an excellent and inspiring platform for students to engage in activities beyond the classroom, and we look forward to seeing our boys and girls realise their full potential”
All of the courses will be delivered to the three regions today at Oman Sail’s Leadership Development Training Centre at the Millennium Resort in Al Musannah and Crowne Plaza Hotel in Salalah.
The Zimam National Leadership Programme is one of the Youth Skills Development Programmes (YSDP) sponsored by OAPFD, which aims to reach a wider target group from school and college students, jobseekers, and government employees and bring international knowledge and expertise in building the national human resources capacity.
This is done by providing students with a platform to develop their day-to-day performance, work ethics, soft and hard skills, and boosting participant enthusiasm to learn and develop.
THE LATEST PHASE OF THE ZIMAM NATIONAL LEADERSHIP PROGRAMME (SCHOOLS) FOLLOWS A SUCCESSFUL PILOT PROJECT CARRIED OUT EARLY LAST YEAR, WHICH GENERATED EXTREMELY POSITIVE FEEDBACK FROM THE SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES INVOLVED.