Sarah Al Amiri Celebrates Winners Of My School… My Identity Art Competition In UAE

Sarah Al Amiri, the Minister of Education, recognised the winners of the first 'My School... My Identity' art competition. This initiative by the Ministry of Education (MoE) aimed to turn school campuses into vibrant reflections of UAE heritage, fostering national pride among students and teachers. The event was attended by various dignitaries and representatives from key cultural government entities.

The competition saw participation from over 140,000 students and 11,000 teachers across public schools in the UAE. Participants engaged in more than 1,000 workshops and artistic activities, submitting over 5,000 artworks. These included fine art, glass and sand paintings, handicrafts, Arabic calligraphy, heritage drawings, gypsum art, sculptures, heritage-themed stationery, interactive rooms simulating the UAE’s diverse landscapes, and live visual displays showcasing the nation’s rich heritage.

The ceremony showcased the competition's phases and displayed selected artworks. The Ministry expressed gratitude to jury members for their role in evaluating entries based on originality, quality, technical compliance, safety, and integration of education and creativity. The judging panel consisted of artists and educational and cultural experts who assessed the submissions meticulously.

In her speech at the event, Al Amiri congratulated the winning schools. She noted that this inaugural edition achieved significant milestones reflecting national pride and educational dedication. Al Amiri praised the quality of submissions for their creativity and teamwork. She stated: "This competition unveiled emerging creative talents and illustrated how art, when thoughtfully integrated into education, can be a powerful catalyst for character building and instilling pride in our cultural identity."

The Zayed Educational Complex in Ras Al Khaimah's Awafi area secured first place with a cash prize of AED 100,000. Al Fujairah Girls School For Cycle2 came second with AED 70,000. Third place went to Al Fayhaa Kindergarten Al Bateen in Abu Dhabi with AED 50,000. Schools ranked fourth to tenth received AED 25,000 each.

The schools placed from fourth to tenth were: Zayed Educational Complex in Sharjah's Al Suyoh area; Al Sumou School in Al Ain; Al Shaheed Tariq Al Shehhi Kindergarten in Ras Al Khaimah's Shaam area; Al Marfa Girls School in Mirfa within the Al Dhafra Region; Mohammed Noor Boys School Cycle 2 in Dubai's Rashidiya area; Al Jahili Girls School in Al Ain; and finally Al Hudaiba Girls School Cycle 3 located in Ras Al Khaimah's Al Hudaiba area.

The ceremony was attended by Sara Musallam from Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge; Dr. Omar Al Darei from General Authority of Islamic Affairs; Eng. Mohammed Al Qasim from Ministry of Education; May Al Taee from Emirates College for Advanced Education; Abdullah Al Qubaisi from Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority; Counsellor Saeed Al Mannai also from Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority along with other officials.

This initiative has successfully highlighted how integrating art into education can foster a sense of identity while nurturing creativity among students across UAE schools.

With inputs from WAM