Sheikh Hazza: Education is key leverage to national identity

HH Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, National Security Advisor, and Deputy Chairman of Executive Council of Abu Dhabi, stressed yesterday the vital role education is playing in shaping the future of the nation and its national identity. 'When we speak about education and its role in defining the future of the nation, we are definitely talking about national identity which can never remain proper and coherent without curricula that promote it and its role and standing, present history of the place, and heritage in a well-studied scientific approach which addresses a new generation and its ambitions amid tremendous challenges,' Sheikh Hazza said while chairing an expanded meeting with representatives of various departments of Abu Dhabi government to discuss the current reality of the public and private education. The meeting explored measures and standards to be taken to upgrade education to catch up with the emirate's fast growth in all walks of life and to live up to expectations of both Emirati and expatriate families and position Abu Dhabi in the ranks of advanced and productive nations in education. Sheikh Hazza said the meeting aimed to share ideas and views that could further develop the education sector and create adequate mechanisms which enable it address challenges and place it on the right orbit to future guided by the vision of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and directives of His Highness General Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces. ''The true equation is how education can act as a bridge to national identity and the national identity can be an integral part of education,' Sheikh Hazza added. These goals, he stressed, would only be achieved through public-private partnership that is driven by goodwill for the best interest of future generations. He said this mission of promoting national identity is not confined to the public sector only. 'It is an integrated process in which the private sector is a key actor with vested responsibilities.' He also spoke about core role of the Arabic language in advancing education and strengthening the national identity, noting that the mother tongue is also facing challenges. He stressed that students have every right to receive the best learning practices, whether in content, curricula, learning technology and environment or human resources and other key prerequisites for leveraging the sector. There, he added, a need for detailed plans and adequate mechanism to render these plan success. Abu Dhabi Education Council (ADEC) gave a comprehensive presentation on challenges to education and recommended solutions, strategies and expectations. Abu Dhabi Council for Economic Development (ADCED) tackled the economies of private education in the emirate and explained challenges facing the private education from investment, financing, organisational and legislative structures, demand and supply, national identity and Emiratisation.