UAE: Combined ‘Salama Series’ of subjects made optional for schools

UAE: Combined ‘Salama Series’ of subjects made optional for schools

Dubai: The Ministry of Education (MoE) has made the Integrated Curriculum Series in Arabic, Culture and Ethics, known as the ‘Salama Series’, optional starting from the next academic year (2023-2024). The decision follows a review of the curriculum by teams from the MoE that included extensive analytical studies and recommendations from the National Committee for Reviewing Arabic Language Curricula – an academic committee comprising national education institutions. Public and private schools that follow the MoE curriculum can now decide whether to apply the integrated Salama Series, or teach Arabic Language, Islamic Education, Social Studies and Moral Education as separate subjects in the first cycle (from first to fourth grade) using the MoE’s curriculum. In addition to an in-depth study conducted by the MoE, a national academic committee made up of education specialists conducted a thorough evaluation of the integrated curriculum to make sure it matched the demands of the educational community and the UAE’s educational strategy. This was to ensure that it is in line with the best international practices and benefits students. The national academic committee was established by the MoE in December 2022. Committee members included education experts and specialists from the United Arab Emirates University, Zayed University,