Culture & Education | Sunday 22 May, 2016 8:47 am |

Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Founder and CEO of Kalimat Group,  and HE Jameela Al Muhairi, Minister of State for Public Education Affairs visited Al Darary kindergarten in Sharjah accompanied by Badria Al Ali, Manager of the ‘Lughati’ initiative on Thursday.

 

The visit aimed at following up the benefits that the young students at the kindergarten had gained from the smart tablets, programmes, purpose-built applications and services provided by Lughati, the smart Arabic learning initiative.

 

Taking part during the visit also were Aisha Saif, Secretary-General of Sharjah Education Council; Fatima Al Naimi, Principal of Al Darary Kindergarten; Muna Sultan Al Shamsi, Head of Academic Affairs Unit; and a group of experts, advisors and consultants from the Ministry of Education. 

 

“The Emirate of Sharjah is striving tirelessly to promote its cultural and literary agenda, which is aimed at elevating the intellectual level of its citizens and encouraging them to be proud of their Arabic language. This commitment is manifested through the numerous initiatives launched by His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, in addition to the efforts made by the relevant organisations and institutions in the emirate,” said Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi.

 

Sheikha Bodour added: “Educational investment in our Arabic language guarantees our advancement, preserves our identity and ensures the special status that the UAE has reached. It proves that the UAE leadership cares about their citizens by providing them with the best education systems that instil within them the spirit of creativity and innovation. We intend to continue on this course by employing the modern technologies, while at the same time preserving our Arabic language. This will enable our students to attain knowledge in their mother language and bring about even more achievements to our country over the coming years.”

 

For her part, HE Jameela Al Muhairi said; “The world is moving towards using smart learning in education because it builds innovative generations who are able to use creative thinking and who are strong and confident in their skills, talents and capabilities. The UAE was, and always will be, a pioneer country for the supporting of creative-earning.”

 

She added: “We are delighted to see that the educational programmes and purpose-built applications installed on the Lughati initiative smart tablets have enriched interaction between students and teachers and between the students themselves. These tools have saved the time and effort needed to prepare and produce educational subjects and also enabled lessons to be presented in a smooth and engaging way, all of which contributes to the increased acquisition as well as the retention of information and knowledge.”

 

HE Jameela Al Muhairi praised the endeavours of Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi to invest in Emirati children and the efforts made by the management of Lughati, stressing the importance of the initiative in developing the linguistic capacities of children at an early age. She emphasised that the Arabic language is the language of intellect, innovation and creativity and that it is fully able to adapt to technical developments. 

 

The supporting of Arabic learning using modern technology in public schools in Sharjah was launched by His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, in 2013. The initiative is aimed at developing education in the emirate, preserving the Arabic language and endearing Arabic studies to children through the incorporation of modern methods. 

 

The smart learning at schools in Sharjah initiative was approved by His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah in January 2016 under the title ‘Lughati’. It represents the educational and scientific response to the requirements of smart learning methods, with its introduction designed to help build a knowledge-based society through elevating forms of education.