NATIONAL IDENTITY POLICY

Context

Diyafah International School is a proud member of the Abu Dhabi community of schools. One of the main roles of any school is to prepare its’ students for a full, active and positive integration with the society in which the school is placed. In our context, we are placed in the most prestigious United Arab of Emirates. Therefore, our school is required to teach students about the values, traditions, culture and special benefits of living, working and studying in our host country. For Emirati nationals, and for non-Emirati residents, this is an opportunity to enjoy, appreciate and learn about the values, culture, history and traditions of the country in which we live, work and learn.

Theme Element
Culture Arabic Language
History of the United Arab Emirates
Heritage of the United Arab Emirates
Values Respect
Compassion
Global Understanding
Citizenship Belonging
Volunteering
Conservation

 

The National Identity Mark

The National Identity Mark is an initiative by the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) to integrate UAE traditions, customs, and values into the private school curriculum. This program aims to deepen Emirati and non-Emirati students' understanding of the national identity of the United Arab Emirates.

The main features of the National Identity Mark programme include:

  1. Focus on Emirati Traditions and Values: The programme emphasizes the deep-rooted understanding of the UAE's traditions, customs, and values
  2. Empowerment of Youth: Initiatives such as the Youth Empowerment Strategy are integral to preserving national identity
  3. Integration in Education:The programme is integrated into the curriculum of private schools in Abu Dhabi
  4. Evaluation Framework: Schools are evaluated based on their integration of national identity across various domains
  5. Cultural Activities and Contests: Activities, contests, events, and school trips are used to develop national identity and cultural values
  6. Artistic Expression: The programme encourages students to express their reflections on the country's national identity, heritage, and values through art
  7. Three Main Evaluation Domains: The evaluation covers domains like 'Identity and Heritage', 'Social Studies', and 'Active Citizenship'
  8. Participation in National Events: Participation in national events and celebrations is encouraged to strengthen the sense of national identity.
  9. Volunteering and Community Service: These aspects are included to foster a sense of belonging and responsibility towards the community
  10. Promotion of National Values: The programme aims to promote values like tolerance, respect, and understanding among students.

Promoting UAE National Identity at Diyafah International School

Rationale: to educate students, parents and the school community of the values, traditions and history of the United Arab Emirates with the aim of becoming proactive citizens who add value to the life of the country.

Goals: cultural sensitivity, respect, tolerance and understanding. Appreciation of the history and heritage of the UAE, the key people who have and continue to forge the country, and to celebrate the achievements of the country, it’s people and the people who live, work and learn here.

National Identity Themes

There are three, overarching themes, for the promotion of the National Identity agenda:

Domain 1: Culture

Consists of three elements:

  1. Arabic Language
  2. History of the United Arab Emirates
  3. Heritage of the United Arab Emirates

Domain 2: Values

Consists of three elements

  1. Respect
  2. Compassion
  3. Global Understanding

Domain 3: Citizenship

Consists of three elements

  1. Belonging
  2. Volunteering
  3. Conservation

Domain 1: Culture

Question: how does Diyafah International School promote:

  1. Arabic Language
  2. History of the United Arab Emirates
  3. Heritage of the United Arab Emirates

Response:

  • The Arabic Language (A & B) programme at Diyafah International School is modified to integrate cultural traditions, heritage, and the values that define the UAE national identity
  • Provision of the Ministry of Education approved curriculum for Arabic Language, Islamic Studies and Social Studies
  • The school calendar includes cultural activities that celebrate the country’s heritage including dance, poetry, arts and music:
    • Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday (Peace Be Upon Him)
    • Flag Day celebrations
    • Haq Al Laila celebrations
    • National Day Celebrations
    • UAE Commemoration Day
    • Science Week – 2023 (celebration of Space and achievements of UAE astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi)
    • UAE National Reading Month
    • Arabic Week
    • Arabic Book Fair
    • Emirati Children’s Day
    • Arab World Mothers’ Day
    • Ramadan Iftar
    • Qur’an Recital Competitions
    • Special assemblies and Arabic integration into English curriculum assemblies
  • The school’s physical environment and displays include qualities and celebrate qualities and aspects of the UAE national identity, including:
    • Weekly life skill – whole school
    • Celebration assemblies
    • Promoting and celebrating excellent attendance at school
    • Promoting & celebrating student leadership and volunteering programmes
    • Displays of Green Education, Conservation and Sustainability
    • Displays of student learning in all subject areas
    • Displays of Culture, Values and Citizenship
    • Display for National Identity
    • Displays of student art work, with UAE themes
  • Clear expectations are set for the whole school community on culturally and professionally appropriate attire, through:
    • Staff dress Code addressing cultural sensitivity
    • School Uniform Policy
      • Regular checks are made on staff and student attire
  • We foster a culture of pride in the UAE national identity through:
    • actively celebrating the National Anthem, daily
    • Reciting the Quran daily in assemblies
    • celebrating notable achievements such as Sultan Al Neyadi’s space travels
    • celebrating and rewarding progress and commitment in life skills and values
    • Recognising the UAE culture, values and citizenship in ‘The Week ahead’ staff communication.
    • the creation of Heritage centres in the EYFS, Primary & Secondary buildings
    • through Arabic language competitions in the primary and secondary school
    • through Qur’an Recital Competitions
    • through Arabic recital competitions
    • Through the personal enrichment program
    • Through the school magazine ‘The Beacon’
    • Through social media platforms – with parental permission if there are photographs
    • UAE Cultural field trips required for all year groups e.g. Sheikh Zayed Mosque
    • weekly parental communications from the primary & Secondary Arabic & Islamic departments, integrated into weekly parent newsletters
  • There are resources to support the promotion and teaching of Arabic language, UAE history and culture:
    • Through the curriculum
    • Through the school libraries
      • The creation of a Secondary Library in September 2023 allowing:
        • Focus on UAE literacy and Emirati authors
        • Student borrowing of Arabic Language books
    • Through the heritage centres in EYFS, Primary & Secondary
    • Through widespread digital resources for Arabic, such as LanguageNut, Asafeer Education - Smart Digital Library, AlefBaaTaa and KAMKALIMA SAL
  • Create a culturally inclusive environment that embraces the UAE history and culture through:
    • Emiratisation programme for staff
    • Identifying and analysing student assessment data for
      • Emirati students
    • Providing academic intervention programmes for Emirati students, where there is a significant differential in academic performance
    • Celebrating UAE Culture, UAE Values and UAE Citizenship through daily assemblies
  • Provide learning opportunities to support and develop teacher understanding and appreciation of UAE Culture, through:
    • Outstanding leadership, particularly from the Arabic and MoE subjects who are part of the School Leadership Team
    • Dedicated CPD – internal and external
    • Curriculum mapping
    • Staff outings – including the induction of newly arrived staff with a tour of Abu Dhabi e.g. Grand Mosque, Emirates Palace.
    • Quizzes and competitions
    • Head of Department meetings
  • Collaborate with external organisations to enhance and expand students’ Arabic language skills and knowledge of the UAE history and culture by
    • Arabic department competitions (internal and external)
    • 1 x cultural field trip, per year group, per academic year
    • Visiting speakers – ADEK approved
    • Promoting UAE Higher Education and learning pathways
    • Engaging in local competitions and ADEK approved activities such as Yallah Art
    • Represent ADEK schools during the National Counselling Service National Day Celebrations, with presentations on dance, music and poetry
    • International Day – UAE Culture and Heritage (Parent Community)

Domain 2: Values

Question: how does Diyafah International School promote:

  1. Respect
  2. Compassion
  3. Global Understanding

Response:

  • We create a positive environment that embraces and promotes national values through:
    • Daily celebrations in assembly
    • Special assemblies
      • Key Stage assemblies for secondary school
      • Parent assemblies for primary school
        • Highlighting, celebrating and rewarding life-skills, attendance, leadership/volunteering
        • Arabic elements included in assemblies
        • Coffee information sessions for parents - Arabic
    • Beacon News – termly newsletter
    • International Day (Term 2)
    • Family Fun Fair (Term 1)
    • Participating in ADEK sports events
    • Model United Nations
    • Iftar – during Ramadan
  • We communicate national values clearly to all members of the school community by:
    • Focusing on values and life-skills in weekly communications/newsletters to parents
    • Publishing UAE events on social media
  • We Enhance Global Understanding by
    • teaching Global Perspectives to students from Year 1-11, with Global Perspectives being available at iGCSE (Y10/11) for students who wish to continue their interest
  • We integrate national values into school policies by
    • revising school policies on a two-yearly basis
    • Ensuring Federal policies are acknowledged and referenced, such as the Safeguarding policy, the Behaviour Policy.
  • We monitor the planning and implementation of national values in lessons and activities throughout the school by
    • Including the national values in our lesson observation schedule
    • Monitoring curriculum planning
      • School overview
      • Heads of Department planning and action plans
      • Student assessment data analysis
    • Including activities that support the national values in our extra-curricular activities (PEP)
    • Monitoring displays around the school, ensuring that each class has a UAE National Identity section
    • Monitoring curriculum planning for the inclusion of National Identity
    • Monitoring Primary WOW Days to ensure National Identity is included
    • Monitoring the quality of assemblies
    • Monitoring the inclusion of the National Anthem and Qur’an recitals at school events such as Student Leadership Investiture, Student Graduations, Parent Assemblies, etc
  • We establish strong ties with parents to support and ensure their involvement and engagement in reinforcing national values in line with school efforts by
    • Parent induction meetings at the beginning of the school year
    • Parent information (coffee) sessions, throughout the academic year
    • Parent Council meetings
    • Family Fun Fair
    • International Day
    • Parent participation in school sports days
  • We provide learning opportunities to foster teachers’ understanding and teaching of national values by
    • Induction programme for new staff
    • Start of year refresher training
    • Formal CPD for teachers, with Safeguarding, Student-well-being and Conservation being priorities
    • Department meetings to discuss how National Identity is promoted through the curriculum
    • Formal CPD briefings for teacher re. National Identity
    • Annual Code of Conduct for Education Professionals
    • Supporting attendance at external CPD related to National Identity, e.g., sustainability, Arabic language
    • Briefings on the types of opportunities related to Field Trips
  • We provide resources to support the promotion of national values across the school by
    • Identifying areas of the school with a National Identity focus
    • Having budget lines in the school budget available for National Identity focus areas, such as Arabic Language, Compassion, Belonging, Volunteering
    • Promoting an extensive range of extra-curricular activities and sports for students to engage in

Domain 3: Citizenship

Question: how does Diyafah International School promote:

  1. Belonging
  2. Volunteering
  3. Conservation
  • We ensure teachers appropriately educate students about their responsibilities as engaged and active citizens by
    • Promoting volunteering, internships, work experience
    • Promoting participation in ADEK sports competitions (ADEK Cup)
    • Green Team – promoting student leadership in Conservation
    • Student Council – promoting representation of student voice, leadership and volunteering, for example, representing the school by guiding visitors
    • Representation at the UAE National Counselling’s National Day celebrations, demonstrating Emirati music, dance and poetry
    • Representation at the UAE National Counselling’s National Day celebrations, demonstrating Emirati music, dance and poetry
    • Providing opportunities for students to enter school and external competitions, e.g., Arabic Language, Debating, Poetry, Entrepreneurship, Sport, Writing (Arabic/English), Global Understanding
    • Global Perspectives curriculum strand in Key Stages 3-5
    • Moral Education and UAE Cultural Studies (A+B) curriculum
    • Student led school initiatives – World Teachers Day, Careers, student induction
    • Model United Nations
  • We encourage teachers to involve students in their communities and to participate in civic activities by
    • Representation at the UAE National Counselling’s National Day celebrations, demonstrating Emirati music, dance and poetry
    • Promoting participation in ADEK sports competitions (ADEK Cup)
    • Promoting volunteering, internships, work experience
    • Green Team – promoting student leadership in Conservation
    • Taking part in community activities/competitions such as Yallah Art
    • Emirati students enrolled in the Fazaa volunteering proramme
  • We celebrate UAE national traditions to reinforce a sense of pride and belonging by
    • Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday (Peace Be Upon Him)
    • Flag Day celebrations
    • National Day Celebrations
    • Science Week – 2023 (celebration of Space and achievements of UAE astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi)
    • Arabic Week
    • Qur’an Recital Competitions
  • We promote environmental awareness and sustainable practices by
    • Curriculum:
      • Global Perspectives (Y1-11)
      • Moral Education and UAE Social Studies
    • Volunteering
      • Diyafah Green Team
      • Model United Nations
        • 2024 theme – Sustainability
    • Competitions
      • Recycled art competition
      • Recycling competitions
  • We empower students to take the initiative toward creating innovative solutions to social and environmental solutions by
    • Curriculum:
      • Global Perspectives (Y1-11)
      • Moral Education and UAE Social Studies
    • Enterprise and Innovation Week
      • Term 3
    • Green Week
      • Term 1 – to coincide with COP28
    • Volunteering
      • Diyafah Green Team
      • Model United Nations
        • 2024 theme – Sustainability
      • Extra-curricular activities (Personal Enrichment Programme)
    • Competitions
      • Recycled art competition
      • Recycling competitions
  • We provide opportunities to support the development of teachers’ understanding and appreciation of national citizenship through
    • CPD sessions – National Identity
    • Departmental meetings
    • National College (UK) online CPD – Citizenship
    • Induction sessions – new staff
  • We create opportunities to collaborate with external organisations/NGOs to provide opportunities to become responsible citizens
    • Yallah Art
    • IDP Careers
    • Espresso – Bean to Business
    • Peter Jones Foundation
    • UAE National Counselling Service
    • Bareen Hospital
  • We enhance overall school efforts to promote citizenship by
    • Curriculum
      • Life-skills theme, weekly through the academic year
      • Global Citizenship Y1-11
      • Moral Education & UAE Social Studies A & B
    • Competitions, internal and external
    • Volunteering, e.g. MUN24, Student Leadership, Breast Cancer Awareness
    • Behaviour Policy and Code of Conduct
      • Holding students, parents and teachers to account for high standards of behaviour
    • Recognition
      • Awards, celebrations of attendance and participation at extra-curricular events
      • Life Skill recognition, e.g. EYFS 2 Graduation Certificates
      • School Reports – contribution to school life, attitude, behaviour
    • Support
      • Pastoral – social, emotional, behavioural support
      • Financial – scholarships