DUBAI// Indian expatriates who dropped out of education in their home country can soon earn the equivalent of a Grade 10 school certificate under a pilot government literacy programme being launched in the UAE.
The Kerala State Literacy Mission Authority (KSLMA) will roll out a 10-month course from November.
"There are many Keralites working in the Arabian Gulf who dropped out of school because of socio-economic reasons," said Professor Alassan Kutty, the director of KSLMA. "We would like to give an opportunity for them to study again."
Since its inception in 1998, KSLMA has been regularly organising adult education programmes and is credited with ensuring the state enjoys the highest literacy rates in India, at 93.91 per cent.
The authority hopes to replicate this success in the Emirates and Qatar, where the programme will be simultaneously launched.
It will target white and blue-collar expatriates, including domestic helpers, cooks, drivers, low-income workers in companies, and cafeteria and supermarket staff.
"There are many people who haven't completed matriculation but have good jobs in the [Arabian] Gulf because of their experience in the field. There are many parents who have children in schools in the UAE but are not educated themselves," said Mr Kutty. Grade 10 study is also known as matriculation in India.
Expats who wish to enrol should have completed their education up to Grade 7 and be older than 17.
"We are not expecting thousands, but want people who have a need to study or have long had an inner calling to complete their education," said Mr Kutty.
The authority hopes to conduct weekly classes for adult learners, who will study nine subjects including maths, science, languages and information technology. They will be required to attend 185 hours of classes to complete the course.
At the end of the programme there will be an examination and successful students will be awarded a 10th equivalency certificate, or secondary school leaving certificate.
KSLMA has proposed similar Grade 12 equivalency courses, which is under consideration by the Indian government.
About 10 Indian schools in the UAE that offer the Kerala state curriculum have sent proposals to KSLMA to be selected as centres for weekly classes and exams.
Expats can register from September 20 to October 5 at these schools. Many parents of students are expected to enrol.
Mr Kutty said they were prepared to establish learning centres at labour camps and organise classes on weekends after working hours.
"If companies are willing, we can conduct classes in their centres ... it is also up to their [labourers'] convenience and need. Many are maids and work seven days a week. We can't compel them to attend."
Studies will initially be in Malayalam. In October, KSLMA will send a delegation to train teachers and other volunteers willing to coach adult learners.
The Kerala Muslim Cultural Centre, a UAE-based charity, has expressed its willingness to organise classes across the country.
"We have proposed two to four classes a week," said TP Mahamood, treasurer of the organisation's Dubai chapter. "There have been lot of enquiries from Keralites. But we have to do classes according to their convenience. They have to find time to come."
The charity has proposed dropping the course's Dh750 fee, which could prove to be too expensive for low-earning workers.
"We have proposed a waiver of the fee depending on the person's salary," Mr Mahamood said. "It will help people progress in their careers and increase their qualification. It could also make them eligible for higher studies."
pkannan@thenational.ae
RESULTS
Catchweight 63.5kg: Shakriyor Juraev (UZB) beat Bahez Khoshnaw (IRQ). Round 3 TKO (body kick)
Lightweight: Nart Abida (JOR) beat Moussa Salih (MAR). Round 1 by rear naked choke
Catchweight 79kg: Laid Zerhouni (ALG) beat Ahmed Saeb (IRQ). Round 1 TKO (punches)
Catchweight 58kg: Omar Al Hussaini (UAE) beat Mohamed Sahabdeen (SLA) Round 1 rear naked choke
Flyweight: Lina Fayyad (JOR) beat Sophia Haddouche (ALG) Round 2 TKO (ground and pound)
Catchweight 80kg: Badreddine Diani (MAR) beat Sofiane Aïssaoui (ALG) Round 2 TKO
Flyweight: Sabriye Sengul (TUR) beat Mona Ftouhi (TUN). Unanimous decision
Middleweight: Kher Khalifa Eshoushan (LIB) beat Essa Basem (JOR). Round 1 rear naked choke
Heavyweight: Mohamed Jumaa (SUD) beat Hassen Rahat (MAR). Round 1 TKO (ground and pound)
Lightweight: Abdullah Mohammad Ali Musalim (UAE beat Omar Emad (EGY). Round 1 triangle choke
Catchweight 62kg: Ali Taleb (IRQ) beat Mohamed El Mesbahi (MAR). Round 2 KO
Catchweight 88kg: Mohamad Osseili (LEB) beat Samir Zaidi (COM). Unanimous decision
The%20Genius%20of%20Their%20Age
%3Cp%3EAuthor%3A%20S%20Frederick%20Starr%3Cbr%3EPublisher%3A%20Oxford%20University%20Press%3Cbr%3EPages%3A%20290%3Cbr%3EAvailable%3A%20January%2024%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
Scoreline
UAE 2-1 Saudi Arabia
UAE Mabkhout 21’, Khalil 59’
Saudi Al Abed (pen) 20’
Man of the match Ahmed Khalil (UAE)
Five famous companies founded by teens
There are numerous success stories of teen businesses that were created in college dorm rooms and other modest circumstances. Below are some of the most recognisable names in the industry:
- Facebook: Mark Zuckerberg and his friends started Facebook when he was a 19-year-old Harvard undergraduate.
- Dell: When Michael Dell was an undergraduate student at Texas University in 1984, he started upgrading computers for profit. He starting working full-time on his business when he was 19. Eventually, his company became the Dell Computer Corporation and then Dell Inc.
- Subway: Fred DeLuca opened the first Subway restaurant when he was 17. In 1965, Mr DeLuca needed extra money for college, so he decided to open his own business. Peter Buck, a family friend, lent him $1,000 and together, they opened Pete’s Super Submarines. A few years later, the company was rebranded and called Subway.
- Mashable: In 2005, Pete Cashmore created Mashable in Scotland when he was a teenager. The site was then a technology blog. Over the next few decades, Mr Cashmore has turned Mashable into a global media company.
- Oculus VR: Palmer Luckey founded Oculus VR in June 2012, when he was 19. In August that year, Oculus launched its Kickstarter campaign and raised more than $1 million in three days. Facebook bought Oculus for $2 billion two years later.
Scorebox
Dubai Hurricanes 31 Dubai Sports City Eagles 22
Hurricanes
Tries: Finck, Powell, Jordan, Roderick, Heathcote
Cons: Tredray 2, Powell
Eagles
Tries: O’Driscoll 2, Ives
Cons: Carey 2
Pens: Carey
No Shame
Lily Allen
(Parlophone)
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
GRAN%20TURISMO
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Neill%20Blomkamp%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20David%20Harbour%2C%20Orlando%20Bloom%2C%20Archie%20Madekwe%2C%20Darren%20Barnet%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%203%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
