Chapter 5 Notes

Discuss the early signs of intellectualism in UAE.
Ahmed Bin Majid, a renowned navigator, was born in Jilfar, Ras Al

Khaimah, in 1421 and died in 1500. He earned the title “Lion of the
Sea” and played a significant role in shaping the civilisation of the region.
Although British colonial rule controlled the area for 150 years and limited
access to education and culture, the local community resisted. Merchants,
reformers, community leaders, and educated individuals all worked
together to oppose colonial dominance. Merchants funded the creation of
schools, and libraries, and supported journalism. Meanwhile, educated
individuals contributed their ideas and experiences, which helped
establish important cultural institutions like libraries, seminars,
newspapers, and printing presses.
In 1934, Mesbih Bin Obaid Al Zahiri established the first newspaper in the
region, called Al Nikhi. Al Zahiri, who had studied the Quran under Mutawa
Hamdan Bin Hamdoon in Al Ain and learned reading and writing from
Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed, created the newspaper with a simple idea.
Noticing that few people were buying Nikhi (boiled chickpeas), he wrote
about its benefits on a piece of cardboard and posted it on the door of his
café. This attracted attention, and soon customers were discussing it. As a
result, sales increased, and Al Zahiri decided to print 10 weekly copies
about Nikhi, which eventually evolved into a broader newspaper. It
included news about births, deaths, weddings, weather, and caravans,
and he even added news from the Voice of Arabs Broadcasting Service in
London.
Who is Mutawa and what are his earnings, etc?
The Mutawa is a volunteer instructor, and the term refers to both a man
(Mutawa) and a woman (Mutawa'a) who taught boys and girls,
respectively. The Mutawa became known in the Emirates mainly for
providing basic education in the Arabic language, mathematics, and
Islamic teachings, including the study of the Holy Quran. There are
other reasons;
1) To earn a living.
2) The absence of conventional schools.
3) To participate in the spreading and strengthening of Islam.
4) To keep children busy.
5) The spread of illiteracy.
The Mutawa were respected in the community, and known for being strict
and enforcing discipline. Students would sit quietly on mats or the floor,
while the Mutawa sat in front of them with a stick to maintain order.
Classes took place at home, in masjid, or in houses provided by traders for
teaching neighbourhood children. There were no libraries, so the Mutawa
used books from scholars or other tutors.
Discipline was tough, with punishments like caning, confinement, or public

scolding, which was common in old Katateeb (small schools) and
sometimes made children avoid school. Payments for education varied.
Families gave what they could, either money, food, or gifts. Donations
included things like Dukhla (joining fee), Khameesi (weekly payment),
Eidiyah (Eid gifts), and other contributions during religious events.
As formal schools opened in the UAE, the role of the Mutawa declined, but
their contribution to early education remains important.
Private school intro
The economic changes in the Emirates, brought on by oil wealth, had a

significant impact on various aspects of growth, including education. As a
result, the government encouraged the expansion of private education at
different levels. Today, there are many private schools in various cities
across the Emirates. These private schools are supervised by the Ministry
of Education in both administrative and technical matters for several
reasons.
Vocational and technical education
The first attempt to establish technical education in the Emirates was in

1957 when the British colonialists set up an institute for technicians to
serve their base. The first proper institute with facilities and a curriculum
was founded in Sharjah in 1958. Key developments in technical
education included:
 1964: Opening of the Industrial School in Dubai.
 1964: Commercial School opened in Dubai; later moved to a

separate building in 1969.
 1967: Establishment of the Agricultural School in Ras Al

Khaimah.
 1969: Another Industrial School opened in Ras Al Khaimah.
 1994/1995: An Industrial School opened in Al Ain.
It’s important to note that vocational education in the Emirates is

primarily for male students. The training duration in these vocational
schools lasts three years, leading to a Secondary Technical Diploma.
Subjects taught in these schools are categorized into three groups:
1. General cultural subjects.
2. Technical educational subjects.
3. Practical training.
Despite these advancements, there are reasons for the lack of interest in
vocational education, including:
The list from the book

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Discuss the early signs of intellectualism in UAE.

Ahmed Bin Majid, a renowned navigator, was born in Jilfar, Ras Al

Discipline was tough, with punishments like caning, confinement, or public

The economic changes in the Emirates, brought on by oil wealth, had a

Vocational and technical education

The first attempt to establish technical education in the Emirates was in

 1964: Opening of the Industrial School in Dubai.

 1964: Commercial School opened in Dubai; later moved to a

 1967: Establishment of the Agricultural School in Ras Al

 1969: Another Industrial School opened in Ras Al Khaimah.

 1994/1995: An Industrial School opened in Al Ain.

It’s important to note that vocational education in the Emirates is

1. General cultural subjects.

2. Technical educational subjects.

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