Al Amal School for the Deaf marks 50th Arab Deaf Week

Purpose and focus of Arab Deaf Week
Arab Deaf Week is a media- and rights-focused platform that raises awareness about deafness prevention, the rights and capacities of deaf people, and the various issues they encounter.

Origins of observance
The observance was founded on proposals from the Arab Federation's Second Congress for Organisations Working with the Deaf, which took place in Damascus from April 24 to 26, 1974; each year, Arab institutions collaborate with the Federation to celebrate a shared topic.

AI for inclusive education
According to Afaf Al Haridi, Director of the Al-Amal School for the Deaf, technology can improve communication and expand opportunities for deaf and hard-of-hearing students. He also believes that incorporating artificial intelligence into education will make classrooms more inclusive.

Municipal partnership and awareness
In conjunction with Sharjah Municipality, the school lighted the municipality's headquarters in blue, representing the deaf population, and hosted cultural and recreational activities on its grounds.

Mental Arithmetic Competition
In the presence of Mona Abdul Karim Al Yafei, Director General of Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services, and Eng. Tariq Al Hammadi, Director of Care and Activities at the Sharjah Private Education Authority, 30 students (16 from Al-Amal) took part in a mental arithmetic competition organised by the Smart Brain Global Mental Arithmetic Centre. The event concluded with an award ceremony.

Workshops and educational lectures
The school hosted a workshop on sign language and deaf rights at Khor Fakkan University and collaborated with Al-Kamal School to offer a lecture titled "The Importance of Language in Communication", which included both sign language and English.

Digital safety and bilingualism discussion
Sharjah schools received a digital security course from e-safety ambassadors. Additionally, the school organised multilingual media conversations with deaf kids, parents, and professionals.

Institutional profile
Al-Amal School for the Deaf, established in 1979 (with kindergarten opening in 1983), is licensed by the Sharjah Private Education Authority and follows the Ministry of Education curriculum from kindergarten to Year 12.

Learning environments and facilities
The school aspires to create an excellent learning environment by applying new technology to build twenty-first-century abilities, utilising the UAE's latest educational and administrative systems, and attaining excellence via top-tier staff and cutting-edge facilities.

Curriculum and support services
The educational programme includes the Ministry of Education curriculum for all stages and the AEPS assessment, measurement, and programming scheme for kindergarten. Therapeutic services include speech and language therapy, music therapy, and physiotherapy. Additional support includes hearing aid monitoring, evaluation, and consultation; psychological, health, and medical services; as well as sports, music, art, and recreational outings.

Milestones in deaf education
Vice-Principal Hanan Zaki noted that Al-Amal was the first UAE school for deaf students to implement the ministry curriculum in 1981 and has since graduated deaf and hard-of-hearing pupils to university. It was also the first national school for the hearing impaired to earn Microsoft Model School accreditation for eight consecutive years.

Awards and accolades
Since joining UNESCO Associated Schools in 2016, Al-Amal has received numerous awards, including the Khalifa Award for Educational Innovation, Sharjah Award for Educational Excellence, Sharjah Sustainability Award, Haya Award for Special Education, Aoun Award for Community Services, and Bett Asia Award. Additionally, students have won accolades such as the Sharjah Award for Educational Excellence, the UCMAS competition in Cambodia, and the Reading Challenge.