Times of Oman Open Essay-Writing and Poster-Making Competition. - Human values come under spotlight

[Guest guest]

Human values come under spotlight

MUSCAT — The Serve And Inspire (SAI) Group has organised the Times of Oman Open

Essay-Writing and Poster-Making Competition. The theme was “Spreading the Light

Through Human Values 2006”. The event was held on Thursday, at the Indian

School, Al Ghubra. The competition was organised with the cooperation of the

Ministry of Education. At 10am sharp, the competition was declared open by Dr

Muna bint Salim Al Jardani, undersecretary for education & curricula, Ministry

of Education. Essa Mohammed Al Zedjali (Chairman and editor-in-chief, Times of

Oman), Dr Madiha Al Shaibany (deputy director-general, Ministry of Education),

Dr Sana Sabeel Al Balushi (director, technical office, Ministry of Education),

Redha Said Mohammed, (director, Office of International Schools, Ministry of

Education), Fatma Al Hinai (deputy director, Office of International Schools,

Ministry of Education) participated in the inaugural ceremony along with many

officials from the Ministry of Education. A total of 2,009 students from 103

schools had registered for the competition. Though there was a huge leap in the

number of participants the event was conducted in an admirable manner. The

competition was held in English under two categories viz: Poster-making and

Essay-writing. The common topics were “Help the Needy” for ages 6 to 9 years

(Group A), “Unity is Strength” for ages 9 to 12 years (Group B), “Charity

Begins at Home” for ages 12 to 15 years (Group C) and “Water is Life” ages 15

to 18 years (Group D). The inspiration for the topics were derived from the

Sathya Sai Education in Human Values Programme, spread in about 165 countries

all over the world. There are first, second and third as well as consolation

prizes in each age group and category for Omani Arabic schools, Omani Bilingual

Schools, International Schools and Special Education Schools respectively. The

awarding ceremony will be held approximately in five weeks time, giving

sufficient time for the adjudication process. There was a special presentation

by the SAI Group highlighting the various human values and service programmes

of the group in Oman such as workshop for teachers in inculcating human values,

seminar on value parenting, value based winter camp for school children, public

seminars on human values, blood donation campaigns for two decades, health

awareness camps, etc. The presentation also touched upon some of the

fascinating projects done by the group in other parts of the world. The Serve

And Inspire (SAI) Group thanked Dr Muna as well as all the officials at the

Ministry of Education (for their fullest cooperation), Times of Oman (for the

extensive media support), National Publishing & Advertising (NPA) (for the

creative support), Oman Printers and Stationers (for all the stationery) and

Indian School Al Ghubra (for provding the venue). The SAI Group also thanked

all the well-wishers who had committed their time and energy for the successful

staging of the event. Dr Muna said that events such as this provide a real life

experience to the students as they come here and find children from other

schools all engaged in interpreting values in the essays and posters. By

thinking about these topics and preparing for the event with the help of their

parents, families and teachers the values find a place in their inner selves,

inner consciousness which is very important. Wishing the competition all

success, Dr Muna expressed the hope that the competitions would grow even

bigger and more students would participate next year by having the competitions

in other parts of Oman as well. Essa bin Mohammed Al Zedjali expressed his joy

on seeing so many children from all over Oman. He wished the SAI Group would

take the programme to different regions as well. Speaking on the role of the

Times of Oman which has been doing yeoman service to the student community by

sponsoring the programme along with the SAI Group, Essa Al Zedjali emphasised

responsibility of the press in taking the programmes to other parts of the

country. ‘Demonstration of goodwill’ Ahmed Essa Al Zedjali (CEO, Times of

Oman): It is a very good event for the youth to demonstrate goodwill. The

exposure to human values helps children accept things the way they are. In the

coming years, may be more activities such as poems could be included for the

children to prove their values. Mohammed Ali Said Al Wahaibi (Department of

Curricula, MOE): The paintings by the children are very good. Children have

expressed themselves very well and can do better with more preparation and

exposure to such events. Overall the event was very well organised with

excellent facilities provided at the venue. Ashok Suvarna (executive director,

National Publishing & Advertising): One visible gain seen over the years is

that the parents and the schools have reaffirmed their commitment to this

event. The presentation made by the SAI Group today was innovative and

commendable”. Ahmed Rayees (president, school management committee, Indian

School Ghubra): “Most of the school curriculum lays emphasis on academics and

misses out on human values. The Indian School Al Ghubra and the SAI Group walk

the same path as far as human values are concerned and we at ISG believe that

the value based education has to be instilled at a young age”. Ramesh Mathur

(educational advisor to Indian Schools in Oman): “I am quite amazed by the

numbers. The parents seem very satisfied. The impartiality of the SAI Group is

appreciated as their honesty and transparency is visible”. Bathol Abdul Hussain

Juma Al Lawati (Dept. of Special Education, MOE): Children with special needs

enjoy competing in these competitions. What is perhaps remarkable is that there

is a special category exclusively for such children making it a fair task for

them. Said Abdelaziz Abdullah El Sisi (English teacher, Anwar El Huda Private

School): This competition has great benefits for the students. It helps them to

be good and marked with good human values. Fahad Nasser Al Balushi (English

teacher, Khambash bin Mohd Basic Education School): I feel so happy to be

associated and witnessing such an important event. Abdul Qayyum (English

teacher, Pakistan School, Muscat): Such competitions are extremely important

and the more we arrange them it is better! By arranging such competitions, we

as teachers can play a catalytic role while focusing primarily on the

production and inculcation of meaningful and healthy characteristics among the

young learners. Shaiara Zulfiqar (Teacher, Bangladesh School, Jalan): Although

we teach about values at home and in school, it is necessary that children get

to express their ideas about human values. Deepa Rajamuni (Teacher, Srilankan

School): “The participant understand that every element in the world is

incorporated with human values.” Yasmeen Salim Abdulla Al Hatmi (Parent):

Spreading the awareness and the use of good human values is so important in

everyday living. S. Balasuriya (Parent): Children are indirectly being taught

human values. So they tend to look into more and more ways of helping the

needy. Buthaina Al Yahyai, (Student of Ahmed bin Majid Pvt. School): I wrote an

essay on the topic “Unity is Strength” as I firmly believe that it is good to do

things together. I drew the support from my mother for the preparation. Hiena

Surta (Participant): It is a good experience and worth taking part in. Lalitha

Shankar (Student of Indian School Muscat): The topics were excellent which made

one think. I would recommend it to all.