Dh243m to boost jobs, housing and education for Northern Emirates

ABU DHABI // The President's committee has approved total grants of Dh243 million for education, employment and housing in the Northern Emirates.
Meeting in the capital yesterday, the committee to follow up on the initiatives of the President Sheikh Khalifa approved the programmes to improve the lives of northern Emiratis.
"The initiatives are meant to give decent life to citizens, including raising of their economic and social stature to achieve the vision of His Highness the President of the State," said Ahmed Al Zaabi, Deputy Minister for Presidential Affairs.
Projects for Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah and Sharjah include scholarships, training for senior school staff, and lessons in English and vocational skills to better equip unemployed nationals for the job market.
The largest amount, Dh160m, will be used in Ras Al Khaimah for education and for training unemployed Emiratis.
Mr Al Zaabi said that the projects would provide scholarships for degrees and higher education, and help for gifted students, the state news agency Wam reported.
Those unable to continue their studies will also be helped.
"The [Northern Emirates] needed to improve skills of teachers and education. And now it will happen," said Aisha Al Yammahi, an FNC member and school principal from Fujairah.
"We must thank the President and the leadership . they always provide nationals with what is best for them."
Present at the meeting yesterday was the new Minister of Public Works, Dr Abdullah Al Nuaimi, to start working on the plans after they were approved.
Ms Al Yammahi admitted English skills in the Northern Emirates, which rely heavily on government schools, was poor so language training for unemployed nationals would be a boon.
"In the UAE there is free education. In the Northern Emirates they rely on government schools, but for English maybe either the teacher or the curriculum is poor. It caused this delay in English."
Ras Al Khaimah Academy, the committee announced, would have several new branches in areas including Hamra and Rams Islands.
Faisal Al Tunaiji, an FNC member from RAK, said the private institution was one of the best schools in the emirate.
Mr Al Zaabi said the projects came as part of directives from Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces.
They were for the "development of senior executive leadership and central leaders besides the development programmes of supervisory and young leaders in the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah", Wam stated.
In Dhaid, Sharjah, 71 villas will be built for nationals working with the Armed Forces.
"Dhaid area is in central Sharjah, with many Bedouins and many others working in the Armed Forces," said Ahmed Al Jarwan, an FNC member from Sharjah. "Growth in Dhaid is continuing. These houses would help to accommodate growth of families."
In Fujairah, Dh19m will go towards building Sheikh Zayed Mosque, which will be the second largest mosque in the country. The money will go towards marble walls, decorations, lighting and rugs.
The mosque's budget will now total Dh227m and is expected to hold up to 28,000 worshippers when it opens this year.
The committee has approved many multibillion-dirham projects for the north. Most recently, Dh110m in road projects and a Dh22m housing development were approved for Umm Al Quwain last month.
"We noticed a big change in the Northern Emirates, especially in infrastructure, buildings and homes," Ms Al Yammahi said. "And we found that it completes all of our needs.
"Now I drive from Dubai to Fujairah and see the amount of work around me, fixing, and building. It is all very clear."
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