Educational diversity a must

The best school curriculum is one that meticulously reflects the needs of the pupil

Students from Abu Dhabi high schools work in a semi-conductor workshop during Tech Quest, a Higher Colleges of Technology program. Silvia Razgova / The National

There are no hard and fast guidelines for striking the right balance of disciplines that lead to the ideal education environment. The debate ultimately boils down to how best to provide a world of possibilities for pupils. The goal of education institutions and systems should be to encourage interest and to instil a passion for learning. While every student has a different inclination and interests in the core curriculum, a true passion for learning will ultimately lead to success at school and beyond.

As The National reported yesterday, the Abu Dhabi Education Council is about to unveil a unified curriculum that places far more emphasis on science-related subjects than ever before.

While the sciences are a critical cornerstone of any well- balanced education system, they should not come at the expense of other subjects such as the arts. Weighing certain subjects over others also raises a host of questions. According to Adec’s head of knowledge management, 79 per cent of pupils chose humanities over science last year. This statistic is provided as a primary reason for the shift in focus.

The best way to sow interest in children is to encourage discovery of what excites and intrigues them. A top down approach, by which students are forced into certain programmes, risks distorting the system.

A holistic educational approach, on the other hand, where students are encouraged with every available resource to pursue subjects that engage them, will create a generation of passionate thinkers – and scientists.