Book illustration spreads ill-feeling among pupils

Ras Al Khaimah: An illustration showing an 'extinct UAE national in a museum' which appears in the National Studies textbook taught to Grade 9 pupils of public schools has led to disputes among pupils.

Parents, teachers and school managements have lodged an official complaint with the Ras Al Khaimah Educational Zone regarding the same.

An education zone official sais, the chapter deals with demographics and the illustration shows UAE nationals will be outnumbered by expatriates and then become extinct.

They have asked the educational zone to send their complaint to the Ministry of Education. They want the illustration deleted because they contend it humiliates UAE nationals.

The new textbook printed by the Ministry of Education was distributed to pupils of public schools at the beginning of this academic year.

The complaint states the feelings of national students have been hurt and many of them have already complained to their teachers.

The illustration has also created misunderstanding and fights between national students in public schools and expatriate pupils.

These cases have already been reported to the emirate's Educational Zone. National students strongly believe that this illustration negatively affects the reality of the UAE society and the future of nationals.

Those who submitted the complaint demanded that this version of the textbook be revised. They want the textbooks to be recalled as it affects education in the country.

A senior official at the Ras Al Khaimah Educational Zone said most of the top officials at the zone support the complaint which will be officially sent to the Ministry of Education.

The complaint will be accompanied by a letter from the zone, asking that the illustration be deleted.

The official stressed that those who published this textbook have misjudged UAE customs and traditions and committed a major mistake while handling such issues.

The official said such illustrations will affect future national generations and make them confused about their identity, past and future.