Lughati, the Sharjah-based initiative dedicated to supporting Arabic language education with smart learning tools, has announced that it will supply smart tablets to support the ‘Al Elm Noor’ initiative implemented by the Sharjah Education Council, to provide education to illiterate citizens older than 20 years.

The move comes as part of Lughati’s social responsibility to ensure continuity of classes through remote learning while institutions remain closed as a precautionary measure against the COVID-19 pandemic. Lughati will provide a total of 279 smart tablets to ‘Al Elm Noor’ students to continue their education from the comfort of their homes.

Mohammed Ahmed Al Mulla, Secretary-General of the Sharjah Education Council (SEC) said: “Lughati’s move to provide beneficiaries of the Al Elm Noor initiative with smart tablets to support home-learning and ensuring their education continuity in these uncertain times. He emphasised the key role of institutional partnerships in supporting educational initiatives, especially as society adapts to uncertainties and deals with challenges posed by COVID-19.

The Al Elm Noor initiative seeks to improve the educational and social framework of Sharjah by educating illiterate citizens above 20 years of age by equipping them with necessary tools and resources.

This move, he said, “aligns with the UAE’s education strategy and reflects the directives of HH Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah to strengthen the capacity of the national educational system by being responsive to the needs of diverse learner groups”.

Badria Al Ali, Manager of Lughati, said: “Since its inception, Lughati has been keen on supporting activities and initiatives beneficial to the community, especially in the integration of the use of Arabic language in everyday lives and in academic pursuits. The use of smart technologies makes Lughati an initiative that can be applied in exceptional circumstances such as the present times, which have deprived illiterate citizens of their right to education. During this difficult phase, Lughati is stepping in to provide the necessary tools and solutions to ensure their continuity of education.”

“Lughati’s effort is in line with Sharjah’s strategies to enhance learning opportunities and supporting lifelong learning programmes,” she added.

Launched under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, in 2016, the ‘Al Elm Noor’ initiative aims to provide institutions and centres to teach illiterate citizens in the UAE.

Since its inception, the educational initiative ‘Al Elm Noor’ has witnessed a remarkable demand from illiterate citizens, which prompted an increase in the number of centres catering to this segment to seven at present. The writing abilities of those enrolled in the initiative has reached 89 percent, while their reading proficiency is rated at 78 percent.

The project aims to build a completely literate community through teaching illiterate adults to read and write, in addition to increasing their knowledge about various topics including health, sports and the social sciences, among others.