Abu Dhabi, September 07: Looking to strengthen the national identity and sentiments towards the nation and its leadership, the Minister of Education Humaid Al Qattami, issued a circular last Tuesday that all government and private schools must raise the UAE flag and play the national anthem during the daily morning assembly or before the start of the school day.
The decision, to be implemented for academic year 2009-2010 in line with the directives of His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, is yet to be formally communicated to schools by authorities concerned from their respective zones, even as schools reopened for the new academic year this week.
According to the state news agency Wam, the initiative is aimed at enhancing the national identity among the students and boosting national sentiments towards the nation, leadership and land.
“The decision will apply to all schools and we are working on the details on how this will be implemented,” Al Qattami told Khaleej Times on Tuesday.
Paul Coackley, the principal of The British School-Al Khubairat, which reopened on September 1, said they were still waiting for the circular from the authorities of their zone.
“We are waiting to see what is in the circular then we’ll start thinking about how to implement it. But we’re very positive about it and we intend to support (the initiative),” he said.
Coackley added that the UAE flag is already flying high in their school and the UAE national anthem is sung on special occasions.
Gareth Jones, the principal from the American International School in Abu Dhabi said they are also waiting for the official notification.
“We have not received any circular, we’re waiting for more details,” he said. His school started the new term on August 30.
Dr Afsar Khan, principal of Al Rayyan National Private School, had well expected the directive.
“For years we have been following this. We have international students from Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Egyptian and the UAE. We don’t sing any national anthem but that of the UAE,” he said.
He said he read about the announcement only in the newspapers and is yet to receive the official circular.
The principal of the Pioneer International Private School also said they have not received any communication in this regard so far.
“No communication so far, although we have been singing the UAE national anthem for the last five years followed by the Philippine anthem,” said Dr Daniel Sistona.
“But, due to the weather condition, we could only do it every morning on Sunday and Thursday. In winter, we sing them every day,” he said.
–Agencies