Young people should be taught the true meaning of morals and ethics - from professionalism in the workplace to turning up on time – which some adults today have failed to comprehend, a top education official said.
“Moral ethics are not a luxury or an optional trait, it is a necessity... which if achieved, will save the state massive efforts,” said Dr Ali Al Nuaimi, chairman of the Department of Education and Knowledge, member of the Executive Council and chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders.
Moral education classes were introduced in public and private schools in September. The lesson comprises a single hour per week, taught without textbooks and is intended to set young people on the right path in life.
"Some have a limited understanding of moral ethics as personal behaviour," Dr Al Nuaimi said of adults today.
“But it much more than that, it is a building tool, it means that as an individual you should have a significant productive role in society," he said.
“It means that you are committed at work, you go on time and do what the job requires - and it means that you are a positive, proactive person.”
By adding the subject to school curriculums, “we hope that the upcoming generation will be brought up with moral ethics characteristics.”
“We, the older generation, may have lost of it, or have not been able to commit to it,” he said.
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Read more:
Moral education taught in UAE schools for the first time
Moral education: what is expected and what it will mean for pupils
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Dr Al Nuaimi was speaking on the first day of the Aqdar World Summit, which aims to raise the value of education and moral education. It is being held under the patronage of Sheikh Saif bin Zayed , Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, and in co-operation with Unesco and a range of UAE government authorities.
One problem that has contributed to the deterioration of moral ethics, he said, is the lack of guidance from adults.
On Monday, experts at a child internet symposium in Abu Dhabi warned that parents, who often have their eyes glued to their smart devices, were ignoring their children.
And in turn, their children were beginning to develop bad habit and imitate their parents' addiction to screens.
“In the past when we were children, everyone used to guide and raise,” said Dr Al Nuaimi.
"If someone was seen making a mistake in the street, an older person would pull his ear to teach him right from wrong.
“If someone shoplifted, the shop owner would confront him… so everyone used to raise. If the father or grandparents were busy, the entire society contributed to the raising of a child.”
Too many parents lack the patience or time to instil such principles in young people, Dr Al Nuaimi said, so all of society must contribute.
“If my son makes a mistake, a random person can come and tell him," he said.
Once the society adopts this culture, this will save the government a lot of effort.
“It is not possible for an ethical person to commit treason, or to become a criminal," he said.
The lack of a good upbringing has seen family members squabble over money and other issues.
“Now you see brothers turning into sharks when they split their inheritance," he said.
He said all departments and authorities should contribute to creating a moral society, not only the education ministry.
Dr Al Nuami used the mandatory National Service programme, introduced for 18-30 year olds in 2014, as an example of a drive that has instilled discipline.
“Our sons who finished National Service came out with completely different ethics, commitment, determination and purpose.”
“So we hope that everyone adopts these traits.”
Creating a well disciplined society will ensure a strong future for the emirates, Dr Al Nuami said.
"More tourists will start visiting, businesses will boom and bridges will be built,” he said.
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Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
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The Saga Continues
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WHAT IS GRAPHENE?
It was discovered in 2004, when Russian-born Manchester scientists Andrei Geim and Kostya Novoselov were experimenting with sticky tape and graphite, the material used as lead in pencils.
Placing the tape on the graphite and peeling it, they managed to rip off thin flakes of carbon. In the beginning they got flakes consisting of many layers of graphene. But when they repeated the process many times, the flakes got thinner.
By separating the graphite fragments repeatedly, they managed to create flakes that were just one atom thick. Their experiment led to graphene being isolated for the very first time.
In 2010, Geim and Novoselov were awarded the Nobel Prize for Physics.
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It Was Just an Accident
Director: Jafar Panahi
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The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
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Jawbone Press
Panipat
Director Ashutosh Gowariker
Produced Ashutosh Gowariker, Rohit Shelatkar, Reliance Entertainment
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The specs
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Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
THE BIO
Born: Mukalla, Yemen, 1979
Education: UAE University, Al Ain
Family: Married with two daughters: Asayel, 7, and Sara, 6
Favourite piece of music: Horse Dance by Naseer Shamma
Favourite book: Science and geology
Favourite place to travel to: Washington DC
Best advice you’ve ever been given: If you have a dream, you have to believe it, then you will see it.
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Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Dubai works towards better air quality by 2021
Dubai is on a mission to record good air quality for 90 per cent of the year – up from 86 per cent annually today – by 2021.
The municipality plans to have seven mobile air-monitoring stations by 2020 to capture more accurate data in hourly and daily trends of pollution.
These will be on the Palm Jumeirah, Al Qusais, Muhaisnah, Rashidiyah, Al Wasl, Al Quoz and Dubai Investment Park.
“It will allow real-time responding for emergency cases,” said Khaldoon Al Daraji, first environment safety officer at the municipality.
“We’re in a good position except for the cases that are out of our hands, such as sandstorms.
“Sandstorms are our main concern because the UAE is just a receiver.
“The hotspots are Iran, Saudi Arabia and southern Iraq, but we’re working hard with the region to reduce the cycle of sandstorm generation.”
Mr Al Daraji said monitoring as it stood covered 47 per cent of Dubai.
There are 12 fixed stations in the emirate, but Dubai also receives information from monitors belonging to other entities.
“There are 25 stations in total,” Mr Al Daraji said.
“We added new technology and equipment used for the first time for the detection of heavy metals.
“A hundred parameters can be detected but we want to expand it to make sure that the data captured can allow a baseline study in some areas to ensure they are well positioned.”
if you go
The flights
Etihad and Emirates fly direct to Kolkata from Dh1,504 and Dh1,450 return including taxes, respectively. The flight takes four hours 30 minutes outbound and 5 hours 30 minute returning.
The trains
Numerous trains link Kolkata and Murshidabad but the daily early morning Hazarduari Express (3’ 52”) is the fastest and most convenient; this service also stops in Plassey. The return train departs Murshidabad late afternoon. Though just about feasible as a day trip, staying overnight is recommended.
The hotels
Mursidabad’s hotels are less than modest but Berhampore, 11km south, offers more accommodation and facilities (and the Hazarduari Express also pauses here). Try Hotel The Fame, with an array of rooms from doubles at Rs1,596/Dh90 to a ‘grand presidential suite’ at Rs7,854/Dh443.
On the menu
First course
▶ Emirati sea bass tartare Yuzu and labneh mayo, avocado, green herbs, fermented tomato water
▶ The Tale of the Oyster Oyster tartare, Bahraini gum berry pickle
Second course
▶ Local mackerel Sourdough crouton, baharat oil, red radish, zaatar mayo
▶ One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest Quail, smoked freekeh, cinnamon cocoa
Third course
▶ Bahraini bouillabaisse Venus clams, local prawns, fishfarm seabream, farro
▶ Lamb 2 ways Braised lamb, crispy lamb chop, bulgur, physalis
Dessert
▶ Lumi Black lemon ice cream, pistachio, pomegranate
▶ Black chocolate bar Dark chocolate, dates, caramel, camel milk ice cream