Outlooks to expand education partnership

abu dhabi — The Ministry of Education (MoE) is aiming to expand the country’s cooperation and knowledge exchange with China.

An initiative to teach the Chinese language in Emirati schools was received with appreciation by students and parents, who consider it a practical step in enabling students to master the Chinese language, as China has become a leading exporter of knowledge and technology and a global cultural and scientific destination.

The ministry stressed that the initiative is a first step that will be followed by further actions during the coming academic years, noting that it is planning to teach the Chinese language in 100 schools through student clubs.

The UAE leadership believes that education is the cornerstone of sustainable development and the key to maintaining the country’s international stature, as it is a vital tool for shaping the minds of students, based on the best international academic practices. Under this framework, the ministry has introduced several foreign languages in schools, to teach students the basics of these languages, which include the Chinese language.

During the initiative’s first phase last year, the ministry gave students the chance to learn the Chinese language as an option for Grade 10 in 10 secondary schools, and 22 teachers and specialists were appointed to teach the language. The ministry also plans to expand the initiative to four more schools for the next academic year.

The ministry sent students to study in the best Chinese universities and will increase the number of students who will be sent to China for the following period, according to its conditions.

Hamdan bin Zayed School in Abu Dhabi is a leading centre of teaching of the Chinese language to Emirati and Chinese students and has enabled them to learn about each other’s cultures and various skills while conversing in Arabic, English and Chinese.

The school reflects the UAE’s commitment to establishing partnerships, investing in scientific and cultural diversity, building relationships with global cultures, teaching communication skills to students, and developing their abilities, in line with the requirements of the 21st century.

Fatma Al Bastaki, director of Hamdan bin Zayed School, stressed that the education system followed by the school teaches three languages to Emirati students, as well as Chinese students, who represent five per cent of the student body. She added that the number of students at the school would total 870 in September. She also expressed her pride at the Emirati students who excelled in the international standardised Chinese language proficiency exam. —