KHDA widens scope of 'Dubai Cares' beyond Dubai

"The cooperation between the Ministry of Education and the Heads of the Education Zones will have a long term effect in achieving the objectives of the campaign. We all certainly have humanitarian aspects in our personalities; the campaign is about tapping into it and making it beneficial to the under privileged children."

Dr Al Karam said, "This campaign has many benefits and it stresses among all its contributors the importance of education and its vital role in developing people and helping them overcome poverty. It strengthens the status of the teachers and the pivotal role in the educational system."

The Knowledge and Human Development Authority in Dubai (KHDA) met with officials from the Ministry of Education, Heads of Education Zones and schools principals to discuss their engagement and participation in the Dubai Cares campaign.

Held at the Ministry of Education, the meeting was attended by Dr. Hanif Hassan, Minister of Education, Dr. Abdulla Al Karam, Chairman of Board of Directors and Director General of KHDA, Mohammed Bin Hindi, undersecretary for financial affairs in the Ministry of Education, HE Fatma Al Marri, CEO of the Dubai School Agency and heads of Education Zones. During the meeting Al Marri presented the implementation of Dubai Cares for Schools campaign.

The meeting began with the presentation from Al Marri, that highlighted the implementation plan, the role of KHDA and the aspired roles of the various Education zones. She focused on the importance of encouraging students to participate in the campaign so as inculcate the spirit of giving. After the presentation she opened the floor for further discussions.

Mohammed Bin Hindi suggested that the campaign be an on-going process to encourage the spirit of giving, adding that alongside the financial donations, there should be an option open to accept donations in kind.

Al Marri said, "This campaign is proving its success day after day and the biggest evidence is the voluntary participation of the educational zones in the UAE encouraged by Dr. Hanif Hassan. This campaign strengthens the concept of volunteer work and the love of giving. This campaign is proof that schools are eager to participate in humanitarian actions with noble objectives.

It was agreed in the meeting that a coordinator for every zone be assigned as a point of contact with the Dubai Cares team within KHDA. The contact person will distribute the school kits in all the schools and will organize regular visits for the KHDA teams, Ministry of Education teams and heads of Education zones to follow up with the campaign on a daily basis. The coordinator will also encourage students, teachers, administrators and parents to contribute generously to the campaign to achieve its objectives.