Call for Standard Arabic in schools

Participants in the First Forum of Arabic Language Protection yesterday stressed the importance of adopting Standard Arabic as the sole means of instruction and communication at kindergartens, schools, and educational institutions all over the Arab world.

The participants also urged all Arabic speaking media sections in the Arab countries to shun the use of local dialects in their programmes and coverage and to adopt Standard Arabic as the only means of communication.

"Media sections all over the Arab countries should work harder to provide a better environment for people to learn Standard Arabic. They can achieve this goal through adopting Standard Arabic as the only language for production and communication in all their programmes and activities," said a communique issued on the final day of the three-day pan-Arab forum.

The communique stressed the importance of focusing on teaching Standard Arabic to children below the age of six, as it is the ideal age for them to acquire a language.

"Using Standard Arabic should be made compulsory for schoolchildren and teachers inside and outside the classroom. Hence, more attention should be given to kindergartens and elementary schools where children start learning the basics of their mother tongue," added the communique.

The participants also stressed the need to adopt Standard Arabic as the only language in Arabic computer programmes.

"Translating more computer programmes into Standard Arabic and producing new ones should be made a top priority in the Arab world in a bid to move the Arab countries to the digital era and help spread Standard Arabic all over the world through the Internet," noted the communique.

The communique urged the ministries of education in the various Arab countries to include more excerpts from the Holy Quran and classic Arabic poetry in school and university curricula, and introduce new methods in teaching Arabic as one way of making people love and learn Arabic even more.

"Teachers of the Arabic language must be well-prepared by providing them with training and incentives. They should be encouraged to update their knowledge and acquire new information and expertise in teaching Arabic," said the communique.

Organised by the Arabic Language Protection Society at the Western Palace on the banks of the Al Qasba Canal, the Forum was inaugurated by His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah.

It tackled various issues related to the Arabic language and protecting it from the serious challenges it is facing. Prominent intellectuals from all over the Arab countries took part in the event.