UAE | Education
Dubai pupils who destroy books in celebration get warning
Pupils in public schools who deliberately rip, burn and destroy their academic materials at the end of the academic year will not receive their certificates starting from the next academic year.
- By Siham Al Najami, Staff reporter
- Published: 00:11 May 25, 2008
- Many pupils deliberately destroy their books to celebrate the end of their academic year.
- Image Credit:
Dubai: Pupils in public schools who deliberately rip, burn and destroy their academic materials at the end of the academic year will not receive their certificates starting from the next academic year.
The ministry of education is alarmed by the amount of materials discarded at the end of each academic year by the reckless behaviour of some pupils, which extensively costs the ministry to get rid of the waste and also produce new material.
Minister of Education Dr Hanif Hassan ordered a circular to be sent to all public schools in the country to educate their pupils on the consequences of such behaviour and that pupils will only receive their certificates provided they return their academic books to the school undamaged.
Many pupils deliberately destroy their books to celebrate the end of their academic year.
Free of charge
About 744 public schools with 274,750 pupils will be affected by next year's decision to return all academic books to the Ministry of Education.
Before this decision, pupils are given all their books free of charge by the beginning of each academic year without having to return the books. However, this will change as a large amount of books are discarded every year. From next academic year, pupils will have to return their books.
"From our records during the past two years many pupils indulge in such a behaviour, which is contrary to our traditions and values in the country. It is not civilised behaviour," he said.
"Pupils should learn the value of money and take the responsibility of taking care of their books," said Dr Hassan.
The ministry of education took into consideration the way developed countries preserve their academic materials from being ruined citing examples from the US as they collect the books from the pupils and fine them if they are harmed.
In Canada, they refund the pupils when they return the books and in UK they tend to recycle.
The minister also highlighted the important role of the school and teachers in educating their pupils as this issue is a critical matter which is now part of the strategic plan of the ministry of education, said Dr Hassan.
What do you think of the decision of not giving certificates to students destroying their books? Do you have a unique way of celebrating the end of an academic year? Which was your most memorable experience? Tell us at letter2editor@gulfnews.com or fill in the form below to send your comments.
Your comments
I feel it is a very good thing to do, by giving certificates, so the students will return the books in a good condition, as they are given free. All private schools should inform their students to donate their books at the end of the academic year, which in turn can be given to the really needy students as many cannot afford books, etc.
Gracy
Dubai,UAE
Posted: May 25, 2008, 15:29
This is one of the most awaited decisions taken by the ministry, I appreciate their thinking and approach. There is a saying also, that you should respect books.
Sanjay
Dubai,UAE
Posted: May 25, 2008, 14:49
When we were studying here in a private school, it used to be practise to pass our textbooks as well as our notebooks to any of our juniors who would book them at least one month before our year was to end. This is actually a very good practise, and I presume there are many students who still follow this, except, of course where the schools purposely change the text books for the next academic year, so that the poor parents are forced to shell out huge amounts to buy the new books - this is done in the majority of private Indian schools.
Rafeeda
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: May 25, 2008, 14:24
This is good news. It will teach both students and parents about responsibility and economy. Let's hope the trend continues!
Ineke
Dubai,UAE
Posted: May 25, 2008, 14:18
The ministry has made an excellent decision. This rule has been implemented in all government schools here in Oman.
Mariam
Muscat,Oman
Posted: May 25, 2008, 13:54
They should understand the value of education and money. Parents should play their role in putting an end to such a nuisance.
Sta
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: May 25, 2008, 13:47
This is an important decision taken by the Ministry. These books are valuable and must not be destroyed by pupils. It can be used for teaching youngsters in the same school or given to Charity organisation if useful, or recycled. The decision has to be affected on private sector schools too.
ABDUL
DUBAI,UAE
Posted: May 25, 2008, 11:38
This is a very good decision.In india we used to sell our books to younger students for half prices and we will buy books the same way from the older students.so the books do not get wasted and saves money for us.
mufiz
Dubai,UAE
Posted: May 25, 2008, 10:55
This is a very good decision. This should be made applicable to private schools also.
Joseph
Dubai,UAE
Posted: May 25, 2008, 09:14
I feel pangs of guilt having to dump all the text books of my kids at the end of the year. In India the book stores would buy them from us and resell. I wish the schools here would take the initiative to take the books from pupils and give them free to pupils who are willing to take them, it is a waste of paper and harming our environment too, it saves parents money at the same time.
Barkha
Dubai,UAE
Posted: May 25, 2008, 08:55
It's a good idea but the ministry should not just stop there, they should dig up the reason for this type of behaviour from children. It will give the ministry a lot of information about how good the source of education is in schools etc.
Ejaz
Dubai,UAE
Posted: May 25, 2008, 08:40
A positive step which is truly commendable. I also suggest that the ministry could give used books which are as good as new to some charity organisations, so that those who need these books could make use of them.
Arshed
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: May 25, 2008, 08:37
I can't believe this is even happening. Books are treasures of knowledge. Perhaps these kids were not taught good values by their parents or perhaps their parents are illiterate. They should be given books by paying a refundable deposit upon return if they don't care for these priceless gifts.
Larry
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: May 25, 2008, 08:06
It is really a very good approach to such behaviour from the students.
Asma
Ras Al Khaimah,UAE
Posted: May 25, 2008, 07:39
In our school days, we used to worship our books at the end of every study session.
Rohitha
Colombo,Sri Lanka
Posted: May 25, 2008, 07:31
Celebrating the end of the academic year is good, but not by destroying the study materials. The pupil MUST know the value of money. It is also the duty of parents to make them understand the value of money too. However, holding the certificates for "this act" is not good. They should be punished by asking them to clean the school premises or fine them with value of the books.
Zacharia
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: May 25, 2008, 07:15
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