Private Schools Asked to Revise Textbooks

In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), all private schools – regardless of the curricula they teach – might soon come under the strict control of Islamic social and religious codes. This article in the Khaleej Times reports that all private schools have been ordered by the Ministry of Education and Youth to revise their textbooks in order to disallow ideas and concepts contrary to Islamic teachings. If books are found to contain writings on alcohol or love scenes, non-Muslim worshipping and entertainment places, or indecent pictures, its content must be amended. A representative of the Ministry of Education stated that books that deviate from state-sanctioned historical facts must also be amended. “The aim of the order is to safeguard education and students from alien customs and traditions,” reports the author. – YaleGlobal

Private Schools Asked to Revise Textbooks

Mohsen Rashid
Tuesday, June 15, 2004

DUBAI - The Ministry of Education and Youth has asked all administrators of private schools across the country to revise the textbooks, and undertake in writing that they were complying with the rules and regulations of the Ministry.

The move was taken by the Ministry with the aim to safeguard education and students from alien customs and traditions. The order is applicable to all private schools that teach British, American, French, Asian and other foreign curriculums.

Arab private schools have also been asked to do the same.

In a circular which will be issued shortly Juma Al Salamai, Assistant Under-Secretary at the Ministry for private education, said the Ministry would not only be satisfied with the undertaking but chalk out a schedule under which all textbooks would be sent at ample time and before the beginning of the new academic year, as well as before contracting printing houses.

List of dispatched books should be attached to the undertaking for revision or for making amendments thereof, the circular, which will be sent to all schools, said.

The school management will also sent a written commitment undertaking that all the books were revised and void of matters violating the rules, regulations and laws of the ministry, the circular said.

The Ministry would look into the revision before approving it according to the applicable procedures provided that school managements should abide by the rules of the ministry.

Each and every textbook revised should be stamped with the school's seal before distribution to the students, the circular said.

The instructions of Mr Salami were based on the religious and intrinsic social values and traditions as well as the political trends and ministry directives.

Textbooks will be approved for teaching if they are void of matters which violate the Islamic teachings or the UAE policy as well as the rules and regulations set by the Ministry.

Amendments should be made if textbooks contained writings on alcohol or love scenes, non-Muslim worshipping and entertainment places.

Banned books and publications are strictly prohibited if they contain ideas and concepts contrary to Islam, affront Muslims or Arabs or the country.

Books will not be allowed if they falsely demonstrate the historical facts, Mr Salami said. Books containing indecent pictures which violate public manners or those which promote negative habits such as drug abuse, mixing of men and women, promiscuity, drinking alcohol and eating pork will not be allowed, he added.

© 2004 Khaleej Times All Rights Reserved.