The programme was launched under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, with the aim of eradicating illiteracy among senior citizens and giving them the opportunity to return to education through non-formal classes and specially designed curricula, covering Arabic language, mathematics, social skills, and Quran memorisation.

Sustainable education

Souad Al Shamsi, Director of the Social Education Department, confirmed that the “Knowledge is Light” programme is a community initiative aimed at supporting and sustaining education, having begun as a non-formal educational project targeting literacy in reading, writing, arithmetic, and Quranic learning for senior citizens.

She explained that the programme has seen significant development, expanding its goals to include empowering senior citizens to actively integrate into society and develop their skills in dealing with modern technology and using it confidently and safely in their daily lives, thereby enhancing their independence and improving their quality of life. She added that this direction became particularly evident during the COVID-19 pandemic and has continued to this day in order to promote digital literacy among participants.

New classes for men

Al Shamsi noted that, due to the continuous increase in the number of female participants and growing demand for the initiative, the first male class was opened in 2024 at the Dibba Al Hisn branch, while 2026 saw the addition of a new male class in the Khor Fakkan branch.

She added that the programme is no longer limited to educational aspects alone, but has expanded to include events, activities and educational and recreational trips, achieving a balance between learning and leisure, increasing participant satisfaction and encouraging continued enrolment in educational programmes. This has contributed to the sustainability of the programme and the expansion of its community impact.

Al Shamsi revealed that the total number of beneficiaries enrolled in the “Knowledge is Light” classes reached 361 male and female learners, reflecting the growing demand for the programme and its role in empowering beneficiaries and enhancing opportunities for lifelong learning.

In response to the wishes of participants who have completed the four approved academic levels, she explained that programmes and activities have been continued to maintain engagement with senior citizens during academic breaks, in line with the academic calendar, particularly during July and December each year.

She added that, starting in 2025, specialised programmes were launched during break periods, including summer and winter camps and Ramadan sessions, ensuring continued benefit from the initiative and strengthening social engagement and participation throughout the year.

“Al Sana’a Specialist”

As part of the programme’s development and to enhance the role of learners in serving the community, Al Shamsi referred to the launch of the “Al Sana’a Specialist” programme, which aims to benefit from the experience and accumulated knowledge of senior citizens in Emirati customs, traditions and authentic values, and to pass them on to younger generations of children in nurseries and school students.

She confirmed that the programme contributes to strengthening intergenerational communication, preserving Emirati cultural heritage, and reinforcing national identity among younger generations, reflecting the vital role played by senior citizens in passing on knowledge, experience and societal values to future generations.