ABU DHABI // The Federal National Council is concerned that young Emiratis are losing their national identity and are being influenced by the "dangers of globalisation" and the council wants to know what educators intend to do about it.
When the FNC convenes today, the Minister of Education, Humaid al Qattami, will be asked to present his plan for reshaping the school curriculum to address the issues.
The Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development, Abdulrahman al Owais, will be asked to explain how schools incorporate activities that promote patriotism and enhance national pride.
"I want to know whether the ministry has a plan for the future," said Sultan al Kubaisi, an FNC member from Umm al Qaiwain.
He said he was worried that schools were not protecting pupils from the effects of globalisation, and was concerned about children's extensive use of the internet. He also said the Ministry of Education was not seriously addressing issues related to the multicultural make-up of the UAE.
"With the stunning development in the UAE, the various nationalities living here and the internet, how can we protect our national identity?" Mr al Kubaisi asked. "What are the school curricula that make pupils aware of the dangers of globalisation?
"We need to protect our children from the effects of importing other cultures and we need to protect our own culture. We don't want to be imitators."
He said the issues were related to the population imbalance in the UAE, where only 16.5 per cent of residents are Emiratis. He praised the Government for forming the Federal Demographics Council to address the issue and promote national pride.
Mr al Qattami is expected to respond through a written or oral statement during the session. Officials from the Ministry of Education were unavailable to comment yesterday.
Principals and head teachers are also eager to hear the minister's plans. Some said the curriculum had room for improvement.
Latifa al Hosali, the principal at Al Assayel School for Primary Education in Khalifa City, said national identity was promoted at the school but it could be more entrenched in the curriculum.
"We already have social studies and geography books that develop national identity," Mrs al Hosali said. "But, honestly, the more activities we can cultivate around that the better.
"The more there is patriotism to the country the better, and it should be across all levels. Everyone should be a part of it, whether it is the curriculum for students themselves, or also the school's administration and staff.
"There should be more classes on the seven emirates, on our culture, on our tradition. And not just lessons that barely graze the surface, but full classes that go into the issues in depth."
Mrs al Hosali cited the internet as one of the biggest dangers of globalisation. "It might be better to have the school curriculum return to basics and force students to research in libraries and using books, and not just rely on the computer," she said.
Khawla al Mulla, the principal at Alnoof High School in Sharjah, said the curriculum needs updating.
"Generations change, cultures change, and a curriculum that was great five years ago might no longer be applicable today."
Mrs al Mulla said students should be taught to take the good and avoid the bad, when it comes to learning from other cultures.
"We cannot protect our students from the effect of globalisation, but we can make them aware of its disadvantages," she said. "We can teach them how to build up their own characters based on their pride in their nation and heritage."
:hkhalaf@thenational.ae
mhabboush@thenational.ae
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
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Jigra
Starring: Alia Bhatt, Vedang Raina, Manoj Pahwa, Harsh Singh
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SPECS
Engine: 4-litre V8 twin-turbo
Power: 630hp
Torque: 850Nm
Transmission: 8-speed Tiptronic automatic
Price: From Dh599,000
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The specs
Engine: 2-litre or 3-litre 4Motion all-wheel-drive Power: 250Nm (2-litre); 340 (3-litre) Torque: 450Nm Transmission: 8-speed automatic Starting price: From Dh212,000 On sale: Now
COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
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The team
Photographer: Mateusz Stefanowski at Art Factory
Videographer: Jear Valasquez
Fashion director: Sarah Maisey
Make-up: Gulum Erzincan at Art Factory
Model: Randa at Art Factory Videographer’s assistant: Zanong Magat
Photographer’s assistant: Sophia Shlykova
With thanks to Jubail Mangrove Park, Jubail Island, Abu Dhabi
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How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.