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The Ministry of Education has identified a list of approved events that are permitted to be organized in all schools with the participation of students and educational staff. Schools have also been directed to adhere to the approved events and submit advance requests to organize any additional activities that are consistent with the Ministry’s educational objectives. At the same time, a guide has been issued explaining how to celebrate the specified events with the aim of consolidating national identity among students.
The official list of events issued by the Ministry of Education, which can be organized in private schools, includes: “Union Day, Flag Day, Martyr’s Day, Zayed Humanitarian Work Day, the Prophet’s Birthday, and the Union Covenant Day.”
The circular also stressed the importance of respecting major religious occasions such as the holy month of Ramadan, Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, as the ministry explained that schools can organize activities that are appropriate for these occasions, provided that they are within the educational and cultural frameworks followed in the country.
The Ministry pointed out the need to adhere to Islamic and societal traditions and values in the UAE, so that activities are balanced and consistent with the state’s educational vision.
The Ministry of Education confirmed in the circular that if any school wishes to organize celebrations or events that are not included in the approved list, it must submit an official request to obtain prior approval. Requests can be submitted electronically via email to the relevant educational authority, if it is a private school. As for government schools, they are submitted to the first school branch sector or the school operations sector, provided that the request includes an explanation of the nature of the event, its objectives and the extent of its compatibility with educational goals. The requests are then subject to study by the relevant authorities, and will be carefully considered to ensure that all submitted events are compatible with the educational values adopted in the Emirates.
Celebration Guide
As part of the Ministry’s support for schools in organizing these occasions, the Ministry of Education has issued a comprehensive guide for school celebrations, which includes detailed instructions on how to celebrate each of the occasions mentioned in the list. This guide comes as part of the Ministry’s efforts to standardize the methods and approaches adopted by schools in organizing celebrations, and to ensure that all educational activities are effective and meet educational objectives.
The guide contains detailed instructions that explain the stages of preparation and organization of each event, from planning to implementation, with recommendations on involving students, parents and faculty in organizing and managing these activities. It also includes guidance on the types of activities that schools can adopt for each occasion, in a way that enhances students’ understanding and knowledge of the values and importance of each occasion.
The guide specified the duration of the Flag Day and Martyrs’ Day activities at 15 minutes, stressing the need to ensure the regularity of the educational process in all grades during the days of celebrating these activities, while setting specific controls for these celebrations. The ministry granted schools the flexibility to determine the appropriate day for celebrating the National Day during the period from the 25th to the 28th, and to determine the duration of the activity by the school in a manner that is consistent with the nature of the celebration, leaving it to schools to determine the duration of the Zayed Humanitarian Work Day celebration, which falls on the 19th of Ramadan every year.
The Ministry of Education has given schools the flexibility to celebrate in ways that suit each school, while ensuring adherence to the rules of celebration known in the UAE for the Isra and Miraj events, Haq Al Laila, World Teachers’ Day, World Youth Skills Day, UAE Innovation Month, Reading Month, Emirati Children’s Day, Emirati Women’s Day, International Day of Tolerance, Mother’s Day, in addition to Happiness Day, World Environment Day and Earth Hour.
The Ministry of Education, through its circular and the celebration guide, stressed the importance of schools’ commitment to the national and social values that the state seeks to instill in the minds of students. The Ministry looks forward to these occasions and activities being an integral part of the educational process and contributing effectively to developing students’ personalities and increasing their awareness of national challenges and achievements.
The Ministry also stressed that school activities are not just events to celebrate occasions, but rather part of an educational system that aims to enhance loyalty and belonging to the homeland, and develop a sense of social responsibility among students.
