AL AMAL SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF STUDENT, MAYED AL ZAABI, WINS
The Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services (SCHS) President, Her Excellency Sheikha Jameela bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, congratulated Al Amal School for the Deaf student Maid Arif Obaid Al Zaabi on winning the Sharjah Award for Educational Excellence in the Distinguished Student Category "Special Categories." "SCHS's efforts in its giving and services are the culmination of the honorable results achieved by SCHS's students in various departments and branches and in various fields," she emphasized, calling for the sustainability of work with more impetus to always achieve the best outcomes.
To mark this occasion, Her Excellency extended her highest thanks, appreciation and gratitude to His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of the Emirate of Sharjah, as he has always supported and advocated the rights of persons with disabilities in all fields, especially education.
She said, “Since its founding, Al Amal School for the Deaf has had - and still has - an influential role in supporting and assisting students in raising their levels to pass the secondary school with distinction, then joining higher education, following them up to continue their education, and providing facilities that help to continue it and graduate, then join the labor market and integrate into society”.
The head of SCHS praised the efforts made by the school in educating deaf people in accordance with the best international practices, relying on bilingualism (spoken and sign language) and devoting to this goal the latest modern technologies.
Sheikha Jameela also congratulated the teachers, the Al Amal School administration, and the family of student Mayed on this accomplishment, which is added to SCHS's record and giving. She urged the students to follow in their colleagues' footsteps and accomplish more noble feats in the future.
Overwhelming joy
For his part, student Mayed Al Zaabi expressed his overwhelming joy at this distinction. He stressed that the basis of this success and excellence is the unlimited support from his family, Her Excellency Sheikha Jameela bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, and the administration of Al Amal School for the Deaf and its teachers.
Despite being in the eleventh grade, Al Zaabi noted that he had previously won the UCMAS Mental Arithmetic Competition (second place medal) for two years in a row. On November 10, 2024, the Sharjah Youth Shura Council presented him with the Distinguished Parliamentary Participation Shield under the theme "A Quarter Century of Excellence in Parliamentary Work" in the kind presence of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah's wife, Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Muhammad Al Qasimi. Additionally, Her Excellency Dr. Muhadatha Al Hashimi, President of Sharjah Education Academy, presented him with the award.
According to the pupil, Mayed, he has been attending Al Amal School for the Deaf since 2011. Beginning in kindergarten at Al Amal Kindergarten for the Deaf, he emphasized that the school is unique in a number of ways, chief among them being that it is the only one in the nation to enroll deaf and hard of hearing students while implementing the Ministry of Education's curriculum and offering a prestigious learning environment that makes use of the newest technology and smart education.
Regarding the challenges facing deaf students in achieving academic success, he confirmed that these challenges exist, and may be related to some curricula. However, school teachers do their utmost to deliver information in various ways, including using search engines or smart assistive programs and applications.
Regarding his hobbies outside school hours, the student at Al Amal School for the Deaf, who won the Sharjah Award for Educational Excellence, confirmed his great love for equestrian and horse riding, in addition to assembling engineering and educational models, swimming, and football.
Mayed concluded by saying: A person does not stop developing himself in many fields, and his motto is “Do not give up” and “Do not stop learning about everything new and useful.” He extended his sincere thanks to the administration of his school and his teachers for their continuous support (academically, socially, and creatively) and the great keenness to integrate deaf people and their participation in various scientific and cognitive forums, which provides them with opportunities for social development and creating leaders in various fields.
Pride
The honorable father, Arif Obaid Al-Zaabi, and the honorable mother, Fatima Ghanem Al-Zaabi, guardians of the student Mayed, expressed their pride in the achievement that their son did, as it enhances Mayed’s confidence that “yes, he can.” He can reach his desired goals by continuing the path of achievements.
Regarding the most prominent challenges faced by parents of deaf people in educating their children, Mayed’s guardian pointed out that the most prominent of them lie in speaking and listening skills and communicating the explanation of some scientific terms in the school curriculum when studying and reviewing lessons with their children. Therefore, parents seek help in communicating with teachers who spare no effort in supporting the student’s family to overcome difficulties.
They clarified that one of the most crucial pillars of the educational process, comprising all of its components, the most crucial of which is the educational component, is collaboration between the family and the school. This component, which primarily strives to develop the student's personality and portray him to society as an ambitious individual eager on his future, has been accomplished by Al Amal School for the Deaf.
The parents extended their sincere thanks and appreciation to the Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services and Al Amal School for the Deaf for their constant cooperation and unlimited support to strengthen the education system, which cannot be completed except through continuous and fruitful communication that produces the desired results. They also extended their sincere thanks to the school administration for providing support to Mayed and nominating him for the Sharjah Award for Educational Excellence, which is under the generous patronage of our father, His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council of the Federation and Ruler of Sharjah, where it was a unique and distinctive experience aimed at enhancing the interests of individuals in the educational field at the state level.
A new achievement added to SCHS long record
Ms. Afaf Al-Haridi, Director of Al-Amal School for the Deaf, congratulated the student Mayed and his family for his excellence and for obtaining the Sharjah Award for Educational Excellence, bringing the number of school students who have achieved this to 17 Male and female students, in addition to the school and its students having received many awards over the past years, the most important of which are: the Sharjah Award for Educational Excellence and Distinction, “Distinguished School Category - Distinguished Student”, Khalifa Educational Award, “Sharjah Sustainability Award”, “Haya Award for Special Education”, “Aoun Award for Community Services”, “Sixth and Seventh Reading Challenge “Students”, “Chess Competition - Students”, “National and Arab Mental Arithmetic Competitions”.
Al-Haridi said, “Al-Amal School for the Deaf currently provides its services to 73 male and female students, and 108 students have already graduated from high school so far, while the number of deaf students who have graduated from the University of Sharjah has reached 14, and 4 in other universities, while 18 male and female students are continuing their higher education.
Al-Haridi spoke about the most important educational programs approved in the school, such as the Ministry of Education’s curriculum for all levels of study, and the provision of support services, “music therapy - speech and language sessions - physical - monitoring hearing aids.” Al-Amal School and Kindergarten for the Deaf also adopts the mental arithmetic program, which works to develop students’ arithmetic abilities and enhances memory, concentration, and problem-solving skills through practicing mental mathematics. Professor Muhammad Ali, the mathematics teacher, has also been accredited as a certified trainer from the Smart Brain International Center for Mental Arithmetic, where the trainer works on training and developing skills. 16 of students in mental arithmetic and qualifying them to participate in local and international tournaments.
Taekwondo team
The school is eager to train 12 deaf pupils in Taekwondo under Korean coach "Park" so they can compete both domestically and abroad. It's important to note that Mayed, the student, is a member of the team that went to South Korea in order to hone their gaming abilities, earn spots in local and international competitions, and encounter other international teams. During the 2022–2023 school year, coach Park oversaw the training at the Middle and High School in Anyang, South Korea, with sign language interpreter Hassan Odeh present.