Latest news with #www.scrf.ae
Sharjah 24
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Sharjah 24
SCRF: Future generations embrace fitness as lifestyle
Organised by YouSkilled Home, the action-packed session featured a dynamic mix of physical activities, including a classic tug of war and the crowd-favourite Ninja Rush – a colourful yet challenging obstacle course designed to test speed, coordination, and courage. The workshop encouraged kids to move their bodies, build teamwork, and challenge themselves in a safe and playful environment. 'Fitness can be interesting – not just for performance or success,' said YouSkilled Home's Bealrussion physical fitness instructor Maxim Papliauko, who supervised the session. 'Games like these help build lasting habits by making physical activity enjoyable and that's exactly what we want to inculcate in the young children – fitness as a habit.' For 11-year-old Indian student Faizee Zayan, the experience was more than just a workout. 'I didn't know exercise could be this fun,' he said, catching his breath after finishing the tug-of-war. His competitor in the matchup was Abu Yousaf, 12, from Afghanistan, who was equally thrilled: 'It felt like being in a movie. I want to come again!' Parents and organisers alike praised the workshop for promoting healthy movement and discipline in an engaging format that kept kids on their toes – quite literally. 'This is exactly the kind of hands-on learning we love to see at SCRF,' said one of the facilitators. 'It's about fun, yes, but also about developing life skills through action and its success lies in the turnout we have been seeing every day.' The workshop will continue to take place throughout the rest of the 12-day festival, which concludes on May 4. For more information, visit
Sharjah 24
04-05-2025
- Science
- Sharjah 24
Young inventors craft eco-cars at SCRF 2025 workshop
Led by Asmaeel Alahmad, lead instructor at Aufuq Al Ebdaa, a Sharjah-based education institute, the workshop served as an entry point into the world of sustainability and the ingenuity of early inventors. 'This year, all our workshops are themed around science, introducing children to the inventors behind everyday marvels we often take for granted,' said Alahmad. 'Today's session is dedicated to Carl Benz, the mind behind the first combustion engine.' Children were given recycled materials—PET bottles, bottle caps, bamboo sticks, and balloons—to create their own balloon-powered vehicles. For nine-year-old Salama, creativity came with a splash of personality. She picked a pink balloon for her eco-car, which she described as 'faster than it looks.' 'I'm taking this home to show my mum and dad,' she said, moments before her friend Salwa chimed in, 'My car is faster than hers!' Khatija, a teacher accompanying Grade 3 pupils from Al Ahliah Charity Private School, said workshops like these make learning exciting. 'We bring our students to SCRF every year because it's such a rich and stimulating environment. I've taken notes myself today—our school has a science fair coming up, and the children already want to recreate these experiments.' Aufuq Al Ebdaa has been a regular participant at SCRF, bringing engaging, educational experiences to festival goers and reinforcing the event's commitment to interactive, play-based learning. Now in its 16th edition, the Sharjah Children's Reading Festival continues to be a vibrant haven for children, packed with workshops, exhibitions, and hands-on activities. This year's programme features themed zones dedicated to illustration, science, storytelling, and more. The festival is free to attend and runs until May 4 at Expo Centre Sharjah. For more information,
Sharjah 24
03-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Sharjah 24
Imagination takes shape at Manga Drawing workshop during SCRF
Hosted by SkillDeer, on Wednesday the Manga Drawing workshop welcomed children aged eight and above to dive into the dynamic world of Manga — learning the fundamentals of this beloved illustration style that originated in Japan but now boasts a global fanbase. Over the course of 30 minutes, participants received step-by-step guidance and all the tools needed to let their creativity soar. The instructions were both casual and precise, helping children grasp the core techniques of Manga drawing. 'If you are making a girl character, add eyelashes to the eyes. For boy characters, just draw pupils and an eyebrow,' explained Jay Cortez, lead instructor from SkillDeer. While most children followed along closely, one teenager preferred to work quietly on her own creation: a character with wild, spiky hair, dressed in a T-shirt emblazoned with the word Alien and featuring a sketched extraterrestrial head. Crescent moons and stars surrounded the figure, with a green hue adding an otherworldly glow to the scene. The festival's workshops continue to be fertile ground for young minds—some seeking playful escape, others finding a focused, uninterrupted space to explore their artistic side. 'The goal is to give children a foundation in drawing,' said Jay. 'We want them to understand the basics—starting with the eyes, then the nose, mouth, and finally the face. We break it down into stages to suit their attention spans. That way, even if a child needs to leave midway, they still walk away having learnt something.' Cortez believes art offers more than just technical skills. 'Art is a beautiful way to express emotions. Once children are comfortable with the form, they can channel their feelings into original characters and ideas,' he added. The Sharjah Children's Reading Festival continues to be a haven for curious and creative young minds. Running until May 4 at Expo Centre Sharjah, the event is free to attend and welcomes visitors of all ages. For more details, visit
Sharjah 24
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Sharjah 24
SCRF: Experts call for community-led reform in early education
Moderated by broadcaster Abdulkarim Hanif, the conversation featured Pakistani education researcher and children's author Mariam Shah, and Muhammad Al-Hasan Al-Sajjad, Advisor to the Minister of Social Action, Childhood, and Family in Mauritania. Drawing on two decades of experience in public education reform in Pakistan, Shah spoke candidly about the alarming findings of the 2024 Annual Status of Education Report (ASER). "Fifty percent of Pakistani children in grade five cannot read a grade two level text," she shared. 'This is not a statistic—it's a systemic failure.' 'We cannot change the nation by focusing only on elite private schools,' she said. 'Public schools must be the focus if we are serious about equity and quality in education.' Offering a comparative lens, Al-Sajjad reflected on Mauritania's efforts to bridge traditional schooling with modern educational frameworks. 'Our challenge is twofold: to preserve the strengths of our indigenous education systems, while building formal structures that respond to today's socio-economic realities,' he said. 'We are working to harmonise our education system—one that includes language reform, community-led dialogue, and curriculum modernisation', Al-Sajjad further noted. The power of stories Beyond policies and statistics, the panelists made a compelling case for the power of storytelling as a pedagogical tool. 'Stories allow children to engage with complex topics like climate change, inclusion or emotional intelligence on their own terms,' said Shah, whose recent books address both environmental and social issues through child-friendly narratives. She argued that developing local, relatable story characters is essential to counter the dominance of imported cultural archetypes. 'Instead of only looking up to Batman or Barbie, children should find heroes in characters who reflect their own culture, language and realities.' Both Shah and Al-Sajjad stressed the importance of engaging parents from the earliest stages of a child's life. Reimagining education for the digital age Responding to audience concerns about screen time and digital distractions, both panellists agreed that technology can support but never replace human-centred, culturally sensitive education. 'It's not about choosing between screens and stories,' said Al-Sajjad. 'It's about choosing meaningful content, in the right language, at the right age, and through the right medium.' The discussion concluded with a shared call for governments, educators, parents and civil society to collaborate on long-term solutions. 'Education is not just the job of one ministry or one teacher,' Al-Sajjad noted. 'It's a national responsibility.' The free-to-attend festival runs until May 4 at Expo Centre Sharjah, and offers many more such meaningful conversations and discussions. For more information, visit,
Sharjah 24
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Sharjah 24
Forest-themed roaming show delights visitors at SCRF 2025
The roaming show called 'The Mysterious Wonderland' presented a set of forest creatures from an enchanted world who had something to tell the world about nature and kindness. Dressed in layers of clothing that resembled barks of trees and merged with the green and yellow in nature, the two performers were a study in sustainability. Feathers, birds and leaves covered their crowns while their faces were painted in bright hues, and oozed compassion and happiness. An apron with an old woman's visage covered their skirts. Altogether, the pair created a joyful atmosphere as they swayed to music, swooping down to hold hands with children or pose for a selfie. 'They are inspired by nature; their face masks are human yet comic. They have come from Canada and are part of the Yellow Moves entertainment company,' said John, one of the show's organisers. The forest creatures moved through the exhibition halls often stopping to peek in at book stands or say hello to the exhibitors. The roaming shows are a regular and popular feature of SCRF, providing mirth and magic to the whole festival. Taking place from April 23 to May 4 at Expo Centre Sharjah, the 16th edition of SCRF promises an immersive experience under the theme 'Dive into Books'. Organised by the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA), this year's agenda features 133 guests from 70 countries, and 122 Arab and international publishing houses from 22 nations. For more information on this free-to-attend event, visit
