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Madinat al-Muslimeen Islamic Message Board
| Democracy to be taught from Grade One |
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| jaihoon |
| 12/04/05 at 23:55:36 |
| Democracy to be taught from Grade One By Samir Salama, Bureau Chief and Alia Al Theeb, Staff Reporter gulfnews.com Dubai/Abu Dhabi: Democracy will be part of the curriculum for school children in the UAE starting next year, a senior education official told Gulf News on Sunday. "We will start teaching students the definition and basics of democracy from Grade One," Dr Obaid Al Muhairi, Director of Education and Curriculum Development Centre at the Ministry of Education, told Gulf News. "We have a ready curriculum to build these skills from Grade One. Once students reach Grade Six, the education will be more practical. Students for example, will form a model parliament and learn the skills of debate and accepting others' opinions," he said. The move follows a historic statement by President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan announcing elections for half of the Federal National Council members, which would be followed by more reforms. UAE academics praised the move and said political reforms are both necessary and urgent. Some told Gulf News there was a need for a universal right of voting and full legislative powers for the FNC. "The council's experience falls short of our aspirations for direct elections, but the next FNC will surely look into constitutional changes leading to a fully elected parliament," said Dr Mohammad Bin Huwaidin, professor of international relations at the UAE University. |
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