Ministry of Education to launch Chinese language in four schools
Muscat: The Ministry of Education organised, over the past two days, an introductory meeting on the Chinese language. The meeting targeted students and their parents in schools that will implement the teaching of the Chinese language for the academic year 2025-2026, in the governorates of Muscat and Al Dakhiliyah.
The meeting included two presentations, the first entitled: "Teaching Chinese Language: A New Window to the Future in the Schools of the Sultanate of Oman" presented by specialists from the Foreign Languages Curricula Department at the Ministry. The presentation included an introduction to the Chinese language, and a cooperation plan with the International Exchange Center for Language Education of the Ministry of Education of China to teach Chinese language optionally in Sayyid Sultan bin Ahmed School (11-12) for Boys; Juwayriya bint Abi Sufyan School (9-12) for Girls in Al Amerat; Hay Al Turath School (9-12) for Boys; and Al Shatha bint Jaber School for Basic Education (9-12) for Girls in Nizwa. The presentation also addressed the inclusion of Chinese language in the 2025-2026 curriculum, and its introductory program targeting directors and vocational guidance specialists in the schools where it will be implemented, and a draft decision to form the main committee, and the working teams to select and harmonize Chinese language curricula and follow up on its teaching. The second presentation was given by Julie Lee, a Chinese language teacher at the American School in Muscat Governorate. The presentation included a practical lesson in the Chinese language for non-native speakers.
On teaching the Chinese language, Abdullah Al Balushi, Senior French Language Curriculum Specialist at the Foreign Languages Department, said: 'The ministry provides a unique experience in learning the Chinese language for students wishing to study it, as the program will be applied to grades 11 and 12 students optionally, and the subject will be taught by specialists in teaching the Chinese language to non-native speakers, who speak English besides the Chinese language; in addition to providing a simplified curriculum in line with the Omani cultural context; to achieve the goals set by the ministry on the one hand, and the approved linguistic framework for the levels in the Chinese language on the other hand. The ministry will also provide educational tools, curriculum enhancement, and enrichment learning resources that support the curriculum, including printed and electronic materials. The Chinese language is currently being applied in a number of private schools in the Sultanate of Oman, and students' results and academic achievement are high.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Observer
2 days ago
- Observer
Japan, US, Philippines stage unified maritime training exercise
ON BOARD THE ASANAGI, Japan: Helicopters buzzed in the shadow of a smouldering volcano and boats rescued dummies from the sea this week in a show of maritime unity by Japan, the United States and the Philippines. The joint coast guard exercises held off Japan's southwest shore follow a warning from the three countries about Chinese activity in disputed regional waters. Tensions between China and other claimants to parts of the East and South China Seas have pushed Japan to deepen ties with the Philippines and the United States. This week marked the second time the countries' coast guards have held training drills together, and the first in Japan. They took place over five days off the coast of Kagoshima, where Sakurajima volcano dominates the skyline, quietly puffing out smoke and ash. Dozens of personnel took part, with Friday's final exercises featuring one vessel from each of the three countries' coast guards. They included the BRP Teresa Magbanua, which was provided to the Philippines by Japan through a loan agreement. The 2,265-ton vessel, named after a schoolteacher and revolutionary, usually monitors Chinese boats in the South China Sea. China and the Philippines have engaged in months of confrontations in the contested waters, which Beijing claims almost entirely, despite an international ruling that the assertion has no legal basis. Chinese and Japanese patrol vessels in the East China Sea also routinely face off around disputed islands. On Friday, Manila accused China of using a water cannon on two of its fisheries department boats as they attempted to resupply Philippine fishermen near the disputed Scarborough Shoal. The US Coast Guard was represented in the exercises by the cutter Stratton, which can carry up to 170 personnel, and Japan by the 6,000-ton Asanagi. Friday's drills began with a simulation of a person falling overboard. Once the dummy, wearing a bright red lifejacket, was in the water, a US drone was launched from the Stratton, circling high above as it scanned the area. A small Philippine rescue boat then emerged from the Teresa Magbanua, zipping across the water before coast guard personnel fished the dummy out of the water. Other rescue scenarios enacted included a Japanese helicopter racing from shore to pull a human subject from the sea. — AFP
Observer
6 days ago
- Observer
‘Basaer' religious initiative launched to empower women
The Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs, represented by the Women's Education and Guidance Department, has launched Basaer, a religious initiative aimed at deepening the understanding and appreciation of the Holy Quran. The event was held under the auspices of Her Highness Sayyidah Dr Rawnaq bint Turki al Said. The initiative targets over 200 women from various governmental and private institutions in Muscat Governorate, including Quran teachers, religious guides and female employees. Basaer seeks to instil love and reverence for the Holy Quran, promoting its values and teachings as a guiding light for both personal and community life. 'This initiative carries profound spiritual significance that Omani women need in their life journey,' said Her Highness Sayyidah Dr Rawnaq. 'It represents a path to a happy and fulfilling life today and in the future, rooted in the teachings of the Holy Quran.' She urged women to actively engage in such initiatives, noting that they offer invaluable opportunities to acquire religious knowledge and insight. The opening day featured a keynote address by Shamsa al Rahbi, Director of the Women's Education and Guidance Department, who highlighted the importance of adhering to the principles and teachings of true Islam, as revealed in the Holy Quran. She emphasised that true happiness and goodness in this life are found through obedience to divine guidance. The programme also included two working papers: 'The Message of Man in This Life, and the Role of the Holy Quran in Bringing Happiness to Humanity', presented by Dr Thuraya al Barashdi, and 'Real-Life Experiences of Individuals and Families Who Benefited from the Holy Quran', presented by Shamsa al Rahbi. At the conclusion of the day's proceedings, Her Highness Sayyidah Dr Rawnaq honoured the participating institutions and the speakers for their contributions to the initiative. - ONA
Muscat Daily
6 days ago
- Muscat Daily
Oman steps up emergency preparedness amid strikes on Iran's nuclear sites
Muscat – Omani authorities have stepped up monitoring and emergency preparedness in response to regional concerns following Israeli strikes on key Iranian nuclear facilities last week. The Civil Defence and Ambulance Authority (CDAA) held a high-level meeting in Musandam governorate on Tuesday to review and update response plans for hazardous materials incidents. The session, chaired by Major General Abdullah bin Ali al Harthy, focused on refining response strategies, enhancing inter-agency coordination and strengthening risk mitigation mechanisms. Officials said that the measures are part of efforts to ensure rapid and effective action should any incident pose a threat to public safety or the environment. CDAA reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening national risk management frameworks and fostering collaboration among all relevant stakeholders to ensure public safety and environmental protection. The Environment Authority (EA), however, confirmed on Monday that radiation levels across Oman remained normal and that there was no sign of environmental contamination following the strikes on Iran's nuclear sites at Natanz and Isfahan. At Natanz, experts at the Institute for Space and International Security reported damage to the pilot fuel enrichment plant and an electrical substation. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed on Saturday that four key buildings were hit in Isfahan, including a uranium conversion facility and a fuel plate fabrication plant. IAEA head Rafael Grossi told the UN Security Council that Iran's pilot fuel enrichment plant, which was producing uranium enriched up to 60% U-235, had been destroyed. Uranium-235 is used in both civil nuclear power and weapons programmes. EA urged residents to rely on official updates and avoid spreading rumours. It said it is closely coordinating with national bodies and international monitoring centres, and continuously analysing data from its early warning radiation network installed across Oman. Officials reaffirmed that Oman's environmental monitoring and emergency systems remain fully operational to detect and respond to any potential radiation risk, in line with efforts to protect public health and natural resources.
