ABU DHABI // A three-day moral education training programme was held for teachers this week by Abu Dhabi Education Council and the Crown Prince’s Court.
Moral education will be introduced to public and private schools this month in a pilot programme to receive feedback from parents and educators, said Dr Karima Al Mazroui, Adec’s acting P-12 executive director.
Once finalised, the new subject will be taught in Arabic at public schools and in English in private schools, beginning in September.
Moral education will be taught once a week for pupils in grades 1 to 11. The weekly period will replace one of the social studies classes, since both subjects include similar core objectives and topics, Adec said.
The programme will be integrated in the kindergarten and Grade 12 curriculums across Adec schools.
Dr Ali Rashid Al Nuaimi, Adec director general, said moral education reflects the vision of UAE’s leadership, which aims to promote citizenship, national identity and positive behaviour among students.
Concepts that will be taught include tolerance, respect, community service, entrepreneurship, and positive interaction and responsibility, Adec said.
Creativity, innovation, ambition and excellence will be encouraged based on five themes: ethics, personal and community development, culture and heritage, civil education, and human rights and responsibilities.
Dr Al Mazroui said proper training will be provided for teachers and school principals to introduce them to the programme, methods of application and assessment, which will focus on the practical side through hands-on projects and community service activities that are in line with the Year of Giving.
newsdesk@thenational.ae