AL AMAL SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF WINS THE INTERNATIONAL UCMAS COMPETITION
In an unprecedented global achievement, the two students (Abdel Rahman Nasser and Khalifa Abdel Ghafour) from Al Amal School for the Deaf, which is an affiliate of Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services (SCHS), won the first and second places in the 24 UCMAS international competition. More than 3850 students from 37 countries participated in the competition, which took place in Cambodia.
Ms. Afaf Al-Haridi, Head of the School, said, “This is the first time that students with hearing impairment participate in UCMAS competition along with hearing peers. This makes the achievement, which we dedicate to Her Highness Sheikha Jameela bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Director General of SCHS, and to all the workers in this prestigious organization, so special. SCHS has been serving persons with disabilities since 40 years according to the best international practices”.
Al-Haridi mentioned the professional training program of (UCMAS) that Al Amal School for the Deaf was keen to offer to 30 students who were excelling in mental processing and mathematics since last academic year under the supervision of mathematics teachers Hana Mohamed Ibrahim, Fawzia Taha Hussein and Coach Rania Al-Tijani. Then, teachers selected the two students, Abdel Rahman Nasser and Khalifa Abdel Ghafour, to participate in the competition. God blessed them and they won the first and second places within the age group from seven to 14 years.
She pointed out that Al Amal School for the Deaf is the first school for persons with hearing impairment to participate in this international competition. School’s interest in this contest is not restricted to science, it offers students with hearing impairment new horizons of thinking and fields of self-development, skills development and integration with their hearing peers. It will continue to offer the training program to students in the future. The school adds this achievement to its long record. Recently, Sharjah Private Education Authority gave Al Amal School for the Deaf (A Private School License). In addition, Microsoft Corporation has chosen the school as A Showcase School for five consecutive years.
Ms. Afaf mentioned that Al Amal School for the Deaf has won many awards such as Khalifah Award for Education and Sharjah Award for Excellence. Its students won awards in many scientific areas.
Notably, Al Amal School for the Deaf is the first of its kind in UAE that rehabilitates and educates deaf and hard-of-hearing students. It uses the Ministry of Education curriculum. It has been implementing Smart Learning Program since 2013 within the Mohammed bin Rashid Program for Smart Learning.
Furthermore, 84 students finished High School since 2008. Most of them joined the University of Sharjah in various faculties. Two students graduated from the school and continuing their education at the Jordanian University. In addition to three more who are completing their higher education at Al Ain University.