Gulf educationists to discuss revamp of social studies

Dubai: Gulf Arab education experts are meeting in Dubai to work out a new way of teaching pupils throughout the Gulf the elements that make up their common heritage.

The experts from the Arab Bureau of Education for the Gulf States (ABEGS) are finalising a study that is expected to be included in the social studies curricula for primary and secondary schools.

"The study aims to guarantee that pupils graduating from schools are fully aware of the history and geography of the Gulf region," Marzouq Al Ganem, Manager of the Arab Centre for Educational Research for GCC countries, told journalists yesterday.

ABEGS has been responsible for introducing and updating educational reforms in the GCC countries under a mandate from the region's ministers of education to promote educational coordination and integration.

The First General Conference of the Ministers of Education in the Arab States of the Gulf in 1975 decided that a unified curriculum would strengthen ties among the six-member states in culture, education, science, information and documentation.

ABEGS was recently required to revamp the social studies curriculum to include the region's shared history and the treaties and cooperation that have occurred in modern times.

He said the Arab Centre for Educational Research for GCC countries is working on implementing projects in child literature.