Emirates society. (Chapter 5)

1. Emirates Society (115160) Chapter Five

Cultural & Educational
Development in the United
Arab Emirates

2. Chapter Outline

1 – Introduction
2 – Cultural Development
• The Roots of cultural development in the UAE
• Cultural Challenge in the twenty-first century
• The year of national identity
3 – Education in the United Arab Emirates
Mutawa (Volunteer)
Assessment of traditional education (Al-Mutawa)
Semi-formal education (1903-1953)
Beginning of modern education (1953-1971)
Curriculums – UK, American, Arabic
Formal education after the establishment of the States
Special Education – People with needs
Religious Education
Stages of education and orientation
Illiteracy and adult education
Technical and professional education
General and higher education (Public & Private)
Awards of Excellence and Innovation in Education

3. The Evolution of Education in UAE

Education in the UAE started with the first civilizations that
cultivated this region
UAE was never in isolation(Delegations and commercial
ships). Relationship w/ Arabs and Moslem
intellectuals(contents from the letters they exchanged);
Education in the UAE developed from traditional simple
style to systematic education( based on well studied
curricula and subjects)
The first newspaper(Al-Nikhi:boiled chick peas),established
in 1934 by Mesbih Bin Obaid Al-Zahiri. He posted it on his
café door; 10 copies per week; added news he would hear
from Voice of Arab Broadcasting Service in London.

4. The Evolution of Education in UAE

The types of education developments that
characterized the UAE throughout its long and rich
history:
1. Informal Education –Mutawwa
old male and female teachers, called “mutawwa” and
“mutawaa” handled the teaching of all subjects for all the
children of the neighborhoods. (different kinds of
donation: dakhla-khamesia-eidiya-fitra-Haq Allah-jozokhitma) Methodology of teaching: caning, confinement
and reprimand)
It was held in in a private place in the house of the scholar
himself or one of the merchants or mosque(mostly adults)

5. Mutawa cont.

Though parents needed their children to help in
agriculture, pearl diving, and grazing sheep; yet, they
wanted them to seek better life.
Reasons:
Make a living
Absence of conventional schools
Strengthen Islam
Keep children busy
Spread of illiteracy

6. The Evolution of Education in UAE

2. semi formal education
In the period between 1903 to 1953 , the developed education
began when pearl merchants (tawaweesh) were influenced by
the Arabian reform and awakening waves.
They would learn Quran, Prophet’s biography, tajweed,
dictation, jurisprudence, math, grammar , literature, reading,
history, geography. Later, some schools offered English
language.
They would pass yr by yr or according the kid’s performance.
In 1928-29, pearl recession; so many schools shut down, but
later resumed.

7. Continue -

Continue 3. Modern Systematic Education(1953-1971)
UAE had infra-structure of education by accepting
educational missions from the Arab countries:
1-Kuwait (Ras Al-Khaimah: 1954)
2-Egypt (shj then dubai)
3-Qatar (dubai then shj)
4-Bahrain (shj)
5-Jordan (Abu Dhabi); Abu Dhabi was pioneer in
kindergarten education in 1967.

8. Education in the UAE

The development of education in the UAE was amazing
9 schools in yr 1972-1973 offered for 1215 students only.
329 schools in 1994-1995
Before, the necessary infrastructure was often unavailable in
many social services venues including hospitals, households,
airports, .. etc. due to the lack of necessary manpower.
The increase is due to:
1. Increase of foreign population
2. Prohibiting children of Arab communities to join state
schools
3. Some believe private schools offer better level than the
state ones.

9. Education in the UAE

Local educational regulations:
1. the school should be in a suitable place
2. Separating males and females, allowed in some
elementary schools.
3. Owner should be an Emirati citizen
4. Owner should not be an employee in the federal
govt.

10. Educational Development

Upon the exploration of Oil and the beginning of
development, the UAE focused a lot of attention on
education
His Highness Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan
considered education among the priorities of
progress –
He was overly generous when it came to education
related projects that aspired for the gradual
improvement of education.

11. Educational Development

In 1972, elementary schools was accommodating only
40% of the children so the state decided to :
1. Paying monthly salary for each learner
2. Providing transport
3. Providing hot school meal
4. Offer school uniform and stationary
Higher education was unavailable locally; therefore
students had to seek other countries to pursue higher
education after school on the government expense

12. Educational Development

Government educational institutions supervising
education were established in 1970
Regular education was organized to be in four
stages:
Kindergarten (4-5 years)
Elementary (6-11 years)
Intermediate (12-14 years)
Secondary (15-17 years)

13. Educational Development

Education continued to be an obsession for the State with a
vision polarized on reaching higher standards of science and
technology.
The plan incorporates the education of information
technology, eradication of computer illiteracy, preserving
social values and ethics, and promoting traditional Islamic and
Arabic values among the youth.
In 1994, 19% of federal spending; in 1999, it reached 32%. It is the
highest among the Gulf.

14. Nationalization of Education

The new plan pays attention to attracting nationals to
education in order to raise the rate of nationals in the
educational sector into 90% by the year 2020.
There are currently schools in the different regions
and rural areas to ensure the right of education for all
without discrimination

15. Women and Education

UAE women utilized to the maximum all opportunities
provided through the various educational programs
run by the government, and they proved to be highly
responsible.
The high schools results for three consecutive years
(1996-1999) are a real evidence of women excellence,
since the highest grades and best results were
recorded for female students
Many UAE women to occupy leadership positions on
different governmental levels.

16. Women and Education

Women work side by side with men in both the public and private
sectors, and proved themselves through excellence that compares
to men working in similar positions.
Currently, the female graduates of Al Ain University and Technology
colleges are working in different companies and administrations
They perform many duties and careers including Engineering,
Applied Sciences, Media, Communication, and Information
Technology

17. Information Technology

Information Technology is a top priority on the list of
education objectives in the UAE in general, and in
Dubai in particular,
His Highness Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al
Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of
Dubai, launched his own educational initiative for the
schools of Dubai in the year 2000.
Lots and lots of awards are launched:
Distinctive teaching performance, creativity, cultural
and young scientists,……

18. Nationalization of Education

The preparation of a generation of UAE nationals
capable of serving their nation,
Characterized by ambition and aspiration to develop the
nation,
As well as the provision of the best electronic ducational
tools and modern laboratories,
Providing online training for students through a special
gateway for the project,

19. Youth Activities

Education was conjoined with a special attention given
to an array of youth activities including extra curricula
activities.
Special entities were assigned the job of running
culture, arts, science and scouts clubs which organize
social activities and camps, teach the Holy Quran, and
nurture the social and cultural sense among students.

20. Adult Education

The State paid special attention to the education and
rehabilitation of the youth in order to empower them with
knowledge needed to live up to the challenges and advancements
they might encounter.
Special illiteracy eradication program in cooperation with the
Women Federation Society

21. Success Assessment

There are still ongoing efforts with a strong will to succeed, and
we can synthesize the results of this initiative through a very
simple comparison.
In 1975:
literacy among men was 54.2% --women was 30.3%,
In 1998:
73.4% for men, 77.1% for women.

22. Children with Special Needs

A special department was established in the Ministry of Education
to cater for children with special needs, to empower them for
positive contributions to their communities
The establishment of a special farm run completely by a group of
physically challenged students.
The farm was called Zayed Agricultural Center for the challenged.
The project received huge attention and praise on an
international level.

23. The Way Forward

Emiratis to take charge of their path through life with the
confidence to map out a productive and fulfilling future for
themselves and their nation.
In their professional lives they will prove that the route to
success lies through personal commitment, dedication and a
strong work ethic.
Emiratis will reinforce this noble and socially responsible
dimension of the national character through greater
participation in society.