The mission to inculcate moral studies classes in the school curriculum in the UAE is no doubt the need of the hour. The concern of the government is understandable as world over, moral standards seem to be fast going down the drain. Things once considered disrespectful and disreputable are fast becoming acceptable in the common parlance. The behaviours and attitudes of the younger generation today are becoming more complicated with the time they spend out of touch with reality, while being engaged in the virtual world. Add to that a set of parents who seem to have time for everything else but their children.
However, it’s one thing to teach moral science lessons and preach about good behaviour and to display the exact opposite, especially in schools. For example, imagine a child who is taught that cheating is bad, but the very next day sees teachers turning a blind eye towards students cheating in exams as somehow they want good results for the class. How about all the drama every year at the time of school inspections, just to make sure that the school is graded in a particular way? Is it okay to fake to get a favourable outcome? I was astounded when a child recently told me how a teacher in their school is very popular with those going for tuitions as he gives them the previous day in tuition class, question papers for next day’s exam!
These are just a few instances where what is taught verbally and practically are not in sync. It can lead to great conflict in young minds.
Filling this gap is going to be the greatest challenge for the educational authorities.
- The reader is a homemaker based in Abu Dhabi.
