Moral syllabus benefits pupils
Crown Prince says parents’ role is vital for plan to succeed
ABU DHABI // The moral education curriculum will encourage pupils to be more creative, innovative and respectful to others, teachers say.
The curriculum will be officially rolled out across all schools in September on the back of a pilot phase in 20 public and private schools beginning in January. The Moral Education Committee presented the provisional accreditation and implementation plan for the curriculum at a forum attended by Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Depu- ty Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, representatives of government and educational entities and parents. Sheikh Mohammed was briefed on the curriculum, which will be built on four pillars: character and ethics; individual and community; civic education; and cultural education. The pillars contain more than 65 units to be taught over a six-week period, and through classes as part of the schools’ activities and cultural events. Sheikh Mohammed outlined the elements that complement moral education, which include the values drawn from a tolerant religion, genuine traditions and humanitarian values. The moral curriculum was launched by Sheikh Mohammed to develop and modernise education in the country.
“Our children face major challenges, and it is our responsibility to prepare and protect them,” said Sheikh Mohammed. “We should not sit back and watch. We should rather race even the light, not only the wind, to ensure that our future generations are well prepared for more achievements and progress. History will judge us on what we did for our children and our people, because the real asset of the nation is its people.” Mariam Al Zaabi, a public school teacher, said adding moral education to instruction was welcomed and overdue. “The curriculum has been changed a lot and it was focusing only on getting kids more creative and more innovative. They forgot about how to respect even each other’s innovations.” Sheikh Mohammed also met a group of parents involved in the development of the curriculum as key partners in the initiative.
“Their role is pivotal as they represent the first line in instilling ethics and a positive attitude. Home and family are the cornerstone for raising and educating children.”
The success of this initiative hinges on the shared responsibility of the school, home, community and organisations, Sheikh Mohammed said.
“The current challenges make it necessary for us to double efforts in developing the educational system and in boosting capabilities of our children through modern curricula and programmes, coupled with a solid foundation of ethics and manners.”
He expressed his confidence in the teachers being role models for students. “For students, the teachers are beacons of motivation, not only in learning and understanding ethical and cognitive skills and values, but also in the way they practise them and embed them in their behaviour and attitudes.”