SAI-Times of Oman essay, poster contest inaugurated

Muscat: The Indian School, Al Ghubra adopted a festive look on Saturday, with close to 2000 children representing more than 100 schools from all over Muscat gathering there to participate in the 13th edition of SAI-Times of Oman open essay writing and poster making contest on human value themes, conducted in cooperation with the Ministry of Education.
With an overcast sky and the smell of rain in the air, participating children enjoyed going to the venue and were seen posing merrily for photographs on the lush green lawns of Indian School Ghubra (ISG)—the venue for the first phase of the event.
What followed through the next few hours as the contest progressed was a bright, sunny day, with students trying to focus their entries on contest’s theme of human values.
Dr. Hamad Saif Musallam Al Busaidy, director general for Curriculum Development, Ministry of Education (MoE), Oman inaugurated the competition. Khadeeja Ali Mohammed Al Salami, assistant director general for Educational Affairs, Directorate General of Private Education, Siddiqa Abdulmajeed Abdullah Al Lawati, director, International Schools’ Office, Ministry of Education, other senior officials from the MoE, teachers and guests from corporate houses graced the inaugural ceremony.
Students from Omani Arabic, private (monolingual, bilingual and global), international and special education schools in the Muscat Governorate participated in the event. As in earlier years, children from the special education schools showed keen interest in the competition.
Four students—two girls and two boys from a special education school—the Omar Bin Al Khatab Institute enthusiastically took part in an essay contest through the Braille method.
“Last year, we had two students who attended using the Braille method. They were quite excited after last year’s event and they encouraged others to participate. In fact, the students were after me enquiring about the event, months in advance,” said Samia Abdul Rahman Al-Zadjali, English teacher at the school, who accompanied the children and had the pleasant task of converting the essays written in Braille to normal text for the purpose of evaluation by the judges.
Speaking on the occasion, Sreekumar, vice-principal, ISG appreciated the role of the SAI group in organising this mega event and said, “Value-based contests, such as this, help in moulding the overall personality of the students.”
Rafiq Kositji, a member of the judging panel of the event since inception said, “I am amazed by the number of volunteers, who work for this project. From a small beginning, this has today become a national event. I wish such events reach higher levels and one day, are organised worldwide with the support of the United Nations.”
Commenting on the event, Dr. Hamad Saif Musallam Al Busaidy, the chief guest said, “It’s a huge event and a wonderful opportunity for students to participate in a competition that focuses on human values. Values, as we all know, are important in a society. Moreover, the event encourages them to focus on human values by way of preparation, where families and teachers also take part. “
He added, “I think education is a sharing process—among families, schools, teachers, students themselves and society as a whole. Students learn values from around them—parents, schools, their curriculum and also the society. Integrating all these elements will make students appreciate human values.” The chief guest felt that students should take up volunteering work, of their own accord, as it will help them in gaining values and shaping their character.
Anuradha Surla, a coordinator of the SAI group explained to the chief guest that workshops conducted by the SAI group for various school teachers on the need and methodology of inculcating human values in teaching. Acknowledging the efforts, the Chief Guest said, “Our curriculum development department is very keen on integrating human values in the curriculum so that the entire student community of Oman will benefit.” He suggested that the SAI group can share their experience in value education and work closely with MoE in achieving this objective.
A.V. Manohar and Shankar Shetty explained various activities of the SAI Group and about the progression of the essay, poster contest over the years from taking baby steps in 2003. “We would like to conduct a walk for values throughout Oman to create more awareness about human values,” suggested A.V. Manohar. MoE officials requested the SAI group to formally take it up with the Ministry. Shankar Shetty profusely thanked the MoE for its cooperation and support in conducting the mega event. He also thanked the Times of Oman, ISG, Oxygen and Oman Printers and Stationers, Desert Dreams and other Indian Schools for their great support.
The second phase of the competition will be held for international, private and government schools in the regions of Batinah, Dhahira and Dakhliya at the Indian Schools in Sohar, Ibri and Nizwa, respectively on April 16 and the third and final phase, for the regions of Sharqiya, Dhofar and Buraimi at the Indian Schools in Sur, Salalah and Buraimi, respectively on April 23.
Entries for the competition will be passed through a three-tier valuation, by a panel of three judges, drawn from the Community, MoE and from the organising body.
First, second and third prizes will be awarded in every age group, for each category of schools by the Omani Government (Capital, Batinah, Sharqiya, Dakhliya, Dhofar, Dhahira /Buraimi regions separately), bilingual (Capital Region), international (Capital Region and Rest of the Regions) and special education (Capital Region) for poster making, as well as essay writing. In addition, consolation prizes will also be given in each of the categories. The result of this competition is expected to be announced during the third week of May 2016 and the award function will be held during the last week of May 2016.
The SAI Group, Oman comprises of a team of volunteers committed to human values in all walks of life. It has been conducting blood donation camps during the last two decades (recognised by the Ministry of Health) and Health Awareness and Education Campaigns for the needy. Besides, the SAI Group has been conducting workshops on Education in Human Values under the SSEHV model and value parenting seminars in various schools in Oman. It also conducts regular programmes on human values to various schools and has participated in showcasing human values at the MoE pavilion of the Muscat Festival.
To commemorate the passage of 40 years since the Renaissance, the SAI Group, authorised by MoE, has completed 45 workshops on human values for school teachers of various schools. The SAI Group has also put in considerable effort to spread awareness about autism.
Regular interactions by the SAI volunteers with such parents and special children, the awareness workshops conducted with experts visiting from India, the United Kingdom and the United States and observing ‘World Autism Awareness Day’ with a variety entertainment programmes being organised by these special children are some of the salient steps in this direction.