Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Smart Learning Programme changes education course in UAE

The mechanisms for Smart Education have been implemented in the beginning of current academic year, coinciding with the launch of the first implementation phase of the Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Smart Learning Programme in 123 public schools in the UAE. The programme aims to introduce the best learning standards to the new generation so as to elevate the status of the UAE, contributes to development, whets the state's competitiveness and create innovative and highly educated cadres in line with the cultural values and UAE vision 2012. The Ministry of Education strives to develop the education system in the UAE through allowing the students to enter into the world of smart digital applications away from the stereotype images of school books. The move transforms the learning process into vital and interactive experience. Now 123 schools nationwide implement the smart learning programme, involving 11, 402 students, of whom 9, 963 students are in grade 7 and 1, 439 in grade 8 who had the experience last year. Meanwhile, 1, 343 teachers had training sessions in the beginning of this academic year to prepare them for the smart learning methodology. The Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Smart Learning Programme prepared 434 classes and provided 11, 402 smart tablets and 1, 343 laptops to the teachers in cooperation with partners of the programme such as Microsoft, HP, Samsung and IT Works. With the implementation of the smart learning programme in the schools, the programme has embarked on the cooperation and coordination with competent and specialised authorities to ensure success of the programme at all levels. So the programme has struck the agreement with Microsoft to provide training programmes and guides to teachers and students as well. The cooperation would provide benefits in terms of expertise and Microsoft technologies, especially in the areas of training that will cover over 1, 000 teachers. The programme has also struck a deal with Samsung to provide smart and electronic interactive tablets for the schools that have introduced the smart learning. Five main subjects: Arabic language, English language, Sciences, Mathematics and National and Social Studies are part of the smart learning programme. The other subjects such as Religion, IT, Music, Visual Arts and Physical Education will be implemented in the next phase. Recently, the Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Smart Learning Programme participated in the HP Conference "HP Discover 2013" held in Barcelona, Spain. The event was a platform for HP managers worldwide, partners and clients of the company to showcase the latest and major achievements of HP during the year Director-General of the programme, Eng. Mohammed Ghiyath presented a demonstration on the phases of programme as an idea to the practical implementation phase. He highlighted the challenges encountered by the programme and steps taken to overcome them in a record time. Last November the regional Arab forum in the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) endorsed the Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Smart Learning Programme among the best five technological initiatives in the region. This initiative will be presented to the ITU conference, which will be held in Syria this year. The move is an achievement to the programme. If endorsed by the international conference, it would earn the programme an international status. Ghiyath said, "the endorsement of the programme by the international conference will open avenues for development sector pertaining to the smart learning. We are proud that the programme was endorsed by the Arab states upon the recommendation from the UAE." - Emirates News Agency, WAM