• Home
• /
• Government
• /
• Education

Voluntary work mandatory for public school students

Dubai - Voluntary work for grade 9 to 12 students compulsory and optional for class one to class eight students

Students of government schools in the country have to spare a few hours to do voluntary work or 'faza'a, according to a report.
The report carried by the Arabic daily "Al Ittehad" quoted the Ministry of Education as saying that the mandatory programme is being administered by the Academic Guidance and Vocational Department at the care and extra-curriculum activities section.
The ministry has determined the targeted categories and how to calculate the voluntary hours and be listed online in the students' information department system.
"Voluntary work for grade 9 to 12 students is compulsory by doing 15 hours for grade 9 and 20 hours for grade 10 to grade 12 students", the statement said,
It added that "the students will have to take part in different programmes inside and outside the school, during and after the study class hours as well as on holidays countrywide, in collaboration with the different official entities."
However, the voluntary work is optional for class one to class eight students, and the students may take part in awareness workshops, competitions inside and outside their respective campuses in each emirate.
The ministry has fixed 12 rules of participation in the programme, and if a student participates other activities, what is termed as individual voluntary, an approval from school management and parent is required. Also, required an endorsement of the body in which the volunteer is taking part and a brief report on participation.
The rules consider the safety, security and health fitness of the participants as well as the voluntary activity matching the age group, and provision of supervisors that match the number of the targeted students and timing for the seasonal tests for the students.
The rules also include the suitable activities set for the students of special needs and those who are ill, among other things.
taj@khaleejtimes.com