Latest news with #MadeehabintAhmedalShaibaniyah
Observer
21-05-2025
- Business
- Observer
Digitalisation of curricula to empower teachers
The Ministry of Education, represented by the Directorate-General of Curriculum Development, and in cooperation with BP Oman, launched the Digitalisation of School Curricula Project for Grades 1–12. The event was held under the auspices of Eng Said bin Hamoud al Maawali, Minister of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, and was attended by Dr Madeeha bint Ahmed al Shaibaniyah, Minister of Education. In his speech, Dr Abdullah bin Khamis Ambusaidi, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Education for Education, emphasised the unprecedented opportunities brought about by digital technologies to enhance the quality of education. 'Education is no longer confined within the four walls of the classroom. It has become a vast space that transcends geographic boundaries and provides both students and teachers access to rich and diverse learning resources.' He said that the project directly empowers teachers with modern educational tools to deliver content more effectively and creatively while offering students a flexible and comprehensive learning experience that aligns with their individual needs and abilities. He added by saying that the project is an integral part of a broader vision for digital transformation in education, laying the foundation for a technology-based, future-oriented learning ecosystem. Yousuf bin Mohammed al Ojaili, President of BP Oman, expressed the company's pride in partnering with the Ministry of Education, stating that the initiative aims to empower teachers and enrich students' learning experiences through greater interactivity. He emphasised that the collaboration highlights the vital role of public-private partnerships in driving innovation and leaving a sustainable impact on education in Oman. The event featured a visit to a model interactive classroom, where a group of teachers and students presented sample lessons using digital textbooks and interactive screens. A short documentary on the project's development journey was also shown, followed by the official digital book launch and the honouring of BP Oman as the project's main sponsor. The digitisation process went through several key stages, beginning with the preparatory phase, which involved defining the technical and educational specifications for the digital content. This was followed by content analysis, scenario development, and quality review. Each digital book required up to 80 hours of review, totalling more than 4,800 hours for 60 books. A trial phase was then conducted in selected schools to gather feedback and refine the content. The final stage involves publishing the digital books through the ministry's Educational Technologies Portal and later via the Noor platform's digital repository, in line with broader national digital transformation projects. Media campaigns will also accompany the rollout to raise awareness. Dr Mona al Siyabi, Head of the Technical and Scientific Team for Digitising the English Language, said: 'In line with Oman Vision 2040, we have launched the first phase of developing digital interactive books for Omani schools. This phase focuses on transforming traditional textbooks into engaging digital formats for the early grades. "These new digital books are rich with interactive features, including games, activities and videos, designed to enhance the learning experience for students and support teachers in the classroom. They also serve as a helpful resource for parents at home. We aim to expand this effort to cover grades 5 through 12 in the upcoming stages." Currently, these interactive books are being piloted in selected schools, and we are collecting feedback from teachers and students to evaluate their experience and identify areas for improvement. The ministry aims to develop and transform traditional curricula into interactive digital content within the national educational platform. The project seeks to offer a variety of digital resources for different learning styles, support distance education using information and communication technology, foster self-learning and collaborative learning and equip students with future-ready skills. Ultimately, it aims to improve the quality of education, enhance student performance and provide accessible and effective digital learning tools. The project comprises 6 phases... the preparatory phase, the analysis phase, the educational scenario preparation phase, the digital production phase, a pilot phase and the digital book propagation phase (giving access to digital content via the e-learning portal and later via the Noor system).
Observer
21-05-2025
- Business
- Observer
Project on digitalization of school curricula launched
Muscat: The Ministry of Education, represented by the Directorate General of Curriculum Development, and in cooperation with BP Oman, launched the Digitalization of School Curricula Project for Grades 1–12. The event was held under the patronage of Eng. Said bin Hamoud al Maawali, Minister of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, and was attended by Dr. Madeeha bint Ahmed al Shaibaniyah, Minister of Education. In his speech, Dr. Abdullah bin Khamis Ambusaidi, Undersecretary for Education, emphasized the unprecedented opportunities brought about by digital technologies to enhance the quality of education, stating: 'Education is no longer confined within the four walls of the classroom. It has become a vast space that transcends geographic boundaries and provides both students and teachers access to rich and diverse learning resources.' He explained that the project directly empowers teachers with modern educational tools to deliver content more effectively and creatively, while offering students a flexible and comprehensive learning experience that aligns with their individual needs and abilities. He concluded by saying that the project is an integral part of a broader vision for digital transformation in education, laying the foundation for a technology-based, future-oriented learning ecosystem.
Observer
19-05-2025
- Business
- Observer
GCC education ministers meeting in Kuwait
KUWAIT: The Sultanate of Oman participated in the Ninth Meeting of the Ministers of Education of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries which was held in the sisterly State of Kuwait, on Monday. Oman's delegation to the meeting was headed by Dr Madeeha bint Ahmed al Shaibaniyah, Minister of Education. The meeting discussed several topics related to enhancing cooperation and integration between the ministries of education in the GCC countries. It reviewed the Gulf Strategy for Combating Drugs for the 2025-2028 period which included numerous proposals for developing educational and training programmes in the educational field. The meeting also discussed ways of developing the work of the Arab Bureau of Education for the Gulf States (ABEGS) to ensure its contribution to supporting the work of the ministries of education and keeping pace with current and future changes and developments in education. Regarding the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, the meeting agreed that the Arab Bureau of Education for the Gulf States should include some of the national indicators being developed by the ministries of education in the GCC countries in the reports on the fourth goal of the UN goals highlighting the role of the GCC countries globally. The meeting reviewed the strategic plan of the GCC Scouts and Guides Committee for the years 2026-2030 which included domestic and international programmes and activities for scouts and guides. The meeting also discussed the study being conducted by the Arab Bureau of Education for the Gulf States on promoting financial literacy among school students. In addition, the meeting reviewed a number of initiatives presented by the State of Kuwait and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia regarding school sports, sports exchange for gifted and outstanding teachers in the GCC countries and the strategic transformation in general education. — ONA
Observer
21-04-2025
- Sport
- Observer
Sports Ministry honours top athletes of 2024
MUSCAT, APRIL 21 The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth felicitated more than 450 athletes, coaches, and administrative staff for their great efforts in various sporting disciplines for the previous year. The Omani athletes won a total of 309 medals across various Gulf, regional and international championships and the ceremony took place at the Sheraton Hotel on Monday under the auspices of Dr Madeeha bint Ahmed al Shaibaniyah, Minister of Education, in the presence of officials, dignitaries and representatives of all sports national teams. The annual awards ceremony is part of the ministry's effort towards encouraging athletes to strive for more success and achievements in future competitions. This year's edition recorded the honouring of more than 450 athletes representing 12 sports associations and 15 committees and covered more than 28 national teams. Oman paddler pair Talya al Rawahi and Salma al Nasri were honoured following their bronze medal in table tennis doubles event in the GCC Youth Games in UAE last April. The awards night was held under the auspices of Dr Madiha Ahmed al Shaibaniyah, Minister of Education. 'I am happy to attend this event for the first time and to receive an award as a recognition for my last achievement. This will motivate me to deliver more and accomplish more achievement in the forthcoming events. I will work hard to raise my country's flag high in the upcoming events,' Salma said. Oman Soca football team was among the top sporting teams honoured during the event besides national hockey team, paralympic team, bodybuilding team, athletics team, shooting team, university sports team and along with several individual athletes who won medals in different tournaments. Hisham bin Juma al Sinani, Director-General of Sports Welfare and Development at the ministry, delivered a speech praising the athletes' accomplishments and the continuous support from the ministry. 'Last year, our national athletes managed to earn 309 medals and this is a result of dedicated efforts by sports associations, committees, and technical teams with the support of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik and the guidance of HH Sayyid Theyazin bin Haitham al Said, Minister of Culture, Sports and Youth. Later, Dr Madeeha bint Ahmed al Shaibaniyah, Minister of Education, accompanied by Basil bin Ahmed al Rawas, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth for Sports and Youth, presented the awards. The honouring list featured the national football team which won second place at the first Gulf Youth Games in UAE. Oman Soca team claimed the title in the Soca World Championship hosted in Oman in November last year. Taqa Club Soca team managed to earn the top place in the Gulf Soca Championship in last September. Oman national hockey team claimed third place in the Hockey5s World Cup hosted early last year. This year's edition recorded honouring of more than 450 athletes representing 12 sports associations and 15 committees and covered more than 28 national teams. ATHLETICS TEAM The athletics team was honoured for multiple achievements including Arab U-23 Championship in Egypt (July 6–9, 2024), The first Gulf Youth Games in the UAE (April 15–21, 2024), The Asian Indoor Championships in Iran (Feb 15–20, 2024), The West Asian Championship in Iraq (May 29 – June 1, 2024). Oman basketball team bagged bronze medal at the Gulf Youth Championship in March last year in Muscat. Beach volleyball team A took first place at the 30th Arab Beach Volleyball Championship in Tunisia in September while Beach volleyball teams A & B claimed first and second spots at the West Asian Championship in Jordan last May. The cycling teams were recognised for the Gulf Youth Games (April 22–30, 2024) and the Green Mountain Mountain Biking Race in Oman (August 23, 2024). The shooting teams were honoured for participation in the Asian Rifle and Air Gun Championship in Jakarta, Indonesia (January 4–16, 2024), the Arab Shotgun Championship in Kuwait (November 9–16, 2024) and the seventh Arab Women's Clubs Games in Sharjah (February 1 – December 7, 2023). The water sports teams were feted for their performances following their achievements in the Gulf Youth Games in Abu Dhabi (May 28–31, 2024) and the second and third Arab Junior Championships in Qatar and Egypt. The weightlifting and bodybuilding teams were honoured for their results in the Asian Weightlifting Championship in Uzbekistan (January 31 – February 11, 2024), the Arab Weightlifting Championship in Qatar (December 26–30, 2024), World and Arab Bodybuilding Championships in Iran, Bahrain and Oman. Others in the list included billiards and snooker teams, for participation in Arab and Gulf youth events. University sports teams delivered an outstanding show as they got first and third in football and beach volleyball at Arab and Asian competitions. Oman bowling team was feted for performance in the 54th Singapore International Open (June 1–9, 2024). The paralympic team made achievements in Asia and West Asia cycling and youth championships. The Omani athletes won a total of 309 medals across various Gulf, regional and international championships. The Oman fencing team earned honours for participating in the Asian Cadet Championship in Hong Kong (August 22–25, 2024), the Asian League Championships in UAE and Uzbekistan, the Arab Women's Clubs Games and Arab Championships in Bahrain, the West Asian Championship in Jordan (August 29 – September 2, 2024) and Gulf Youth Games in the UAE (April 26 – May 1, 2024). The karate team won medals at the West Asian Championship in Sharjah while Deaf futsal team won first place at the Gulf Friendship Championship in Bahrain (December 21–26, 2024). Oman Squash team grabbed third spot in West Asia Squash Championship in Iraq (October 29 – November 3, 2024). The national golf team claimed second place in various GCC tournaments for U13, U16, and U18 categories. Table tennis and school sports teams made an impression in Gulf and international school events. The skating team won second and third places in ice hockey championships in UAE. The marine sports team made achievements in the fifth Freediving World Championship (October 2–10, 2024, Greece), AIDA Freediving Pool Championship in Lithuania (June 24–28, 2024), Arab sailing events in Bahrain and Kuwait and Youth sailing competitions in the UAE (April 16–21, 2024).
Observer
06-03-2025
- General
- Observer
80.76% students clear GED semester 1 examinations
MUSCAT: Dr Madeeha bint Ahmed al Shaibaniyah, Minister of Education, on Thursday approved the general indicators of results of semester 1 exams of the General Education Diploma (GED) and its equivalents for School Year 2024/2025. As many as 54,943 male and female students sat for the GED exams and the overall success rate was 80.76 per cent. Giving a breakup, the ministry explained the following: A total of 1,577 students sat for exams of the GED Diploma for private (bilingual) schools and the success rate was 91.05 per cent. Forty-three students sat for the Technical General Education Diploma for the Royal Guard of Oman Technical College (bilingual) and the success rate was 100 per cent. A total of 121 students sat for exams of the General Education and Islamic Sciences Diploma and the success rate was 100 per cent. Sixty-one students sat for the General Education Diploma of the Special Education segment and the success rate was 88.52 per cent. A total of 138 students sat for the General Vocational and Technical Education Diploma exams and the success rate was 99.27 per cent. Results will be available with effect from 4 pm on Sunday. The results will be received through Omantel, Ooredoo and Vodafone. To get the results, short messages (SMS) containing the students' seat numbers must be sent to the number 90200. The same results will be available later on the Oman Educational Portal. — ONA
