Salalah: The inaugural Regional Forum of the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organisation (ALECSO) took place in Salalah, Dhofar Governorate, and concluded on Tuesday.
During the two-day event, participants recommended the formulation of national policies in this sector, the incorporation of culture and arts into educational curricula, the improvement of training programs for educational personnel, the expansion of collaborative youth initiatives, and the creation of a dedicated Arab platform for sharing experiences and expertise.
The forum, organized by the Oman National Commission for Education, Culture and Science in partnership with ALECSO, featured contributions from experts and educators from GCC nations and other Arab countries.
The recommendations underscored the necessity of developing comprehensive national policies and programs focused on culture and arts, with backing from ALECSO and specialized professionals. These updates are expected to embody the intrinsic values of each nation and align with advancements in the educational process.
A significant recommendation was to incorporate subjects related to culture, arts, and heritage into school curricula in an engaging manner that enhances the learning experience and fosters critical thinking skills among students.
Participants at the forum advocated for the establishment of ongoing training programs for teachers and educators in the relevant fields.
The forum suggested creating an Arab observatory focused on education in culture and arts, which will be overseen by ALECSO. This observatory aims to track experiences and practices while facilitating the exchange of expertise among Arab nations. The observatory, set to be managed by ALECSO, will be responsible for monitoring exemplary experiences and sharing knowledge across Arab countries.
The forum highlighted the importance of initiating collaborative Arab innovative programs aimed at youth, to foster communication between generations and to aid in the sustainable development process within the Arab region.
Included in the forum were reference documents prepared by ALECSO's technical team, which featured a reference guide for school theatre, a reference guide for music education, and a reference guide for visual arts education.
