Abu Dhabi: In a bid to promote national identity and loyalty while instilling the UAE’s history among students, the second phase of the inclusion of World Heritage Sites in school curriculum has been launched.
The Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority (TCA-AD) and the Abu Dhabi Education Council (Adec) announced the launch, adding that the new project will help integrate these characteristics in the art curriculum.
Dr Najwa Al Hosani, Curriculum Division Manager at Adec, said that this project aims to introduce students to artistic features of archaeological sites that reflect Al Ain’s history and civilisation, while developing art teachers’ experiences through connecting artistic elements of national heritage with Adec’s art curriculum.
Meanwhile, Linda Wannous, art curriculum specialist at Adec’s Curriculum Division, pointed out that these visits are considered the second phase of Inclusion of Artistic Elements of Heritage in Art Curriculum launched earlier in December 2015.
Organising field trips to archaeological sites in Al Ain, such as Al Muwaiji Palace, seek to help teachers and students recognise the work accomplished by ancestors in the past to maintain the national identity of those who lived on this land.
It also aims to enhance teachers’ abilities to develop innovative thinking in the field of creating and designing art activities and workshops on national heritage for their students, while making use of such activities to help students develop a positive attitude towards art in order to raise a generation that appreciates the concepts of art, history and heritage.
Meanwhile, students’ artwork will be exhibited in the Al Saadiyat Art Gallery for five days by June.
The Gallery will shed light on students’ artwork, designed under the supervision of their teachers. The artworks showcase art and artefacts, pottery and various local heritage elements.
Students will be given the chance to visit the gallery and learn more about the work and designs of their peers.
