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Borneo Post
14-07-2025
- Politics
- Borneo Post
Minister: Strong family, school collaboration key to holistic child development
Nancy (seated centre) joins education officers and award recipients for a group photo. KUCHING (July 14): Holistic development in children begins with stronger collaboration between families, schools, and communities, said Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri. Nancy emphasised that the success of children's education hinges on a supportive ecosystem involving parents, educators, and society at large. 'I believe a strong family is the foundation of educational success, and therefore, I would like to propose closer collaboration between the Kuching District Education Office and my ministry to implement family and parenting support programmes in schools,' she said. She made these remarks during the 2024 Kuching District Education Office Excellent Service Awards (APC) ceremony, held at Dewan Hikmah in Petra Jaya here yesterday. She said such initiatives should be a joint effort between the Ministry of Education and her ministry, to ensure children are nurtured in an environment that promotes their all-round development. Nancy highlighted that shaping future generations requires shared responsibility among teachers, parents, and the community leaders. 'It is our collective duty to nurture our children, instilling cultural, religious, and national values. 'This responsibility should not rest solely on teachers. Strong connections between educators and the wider community are vital,' she stressed. 'Meaningful engagement allows us to listen to feedback from community leaders and parent-teacher associations, giving them space to share their observations — not only from their homes but also from their villages and surroundings,' she added. Nancy reaffirmed her ministry's commitment to supporting families through platforms such as the One-Stop Social Support Centre (PSSS), which she noted has become increasingly relevant and widely accepted. She also shared efforts in her Santubong parliamentary constituency, where her service centre collaborates with education authorities to improve infrastructure and deliver learning support across 26 schools. 'We are intensifying efforts to support students, especially from B40 families, by providing school supplies, small scholarships, motivational programmes, and enhancing digital literacy and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) initiatives. Nancy stressed that the objective is not only to ensure children receive a quality education, but also to prepare them to thrive in an increasingly challenging global environment. A total of 414 recipients were honoured during the APC event, including eight PPD Kuching staff, three principals, seven headmasters, 396 teachers, and other school support staff. Nancy concluded by urging educators to uphold a culture of excellence grounded in integrity and sincerity. 'This is the foundation of building a progressive society — one that is knowledgeable, ethical, and empathetic,' she said. Also present were Sarawak Education Department deputy director (Learning Sector) Siti Zulaiha Ibrahim, representing Sarawak State Education Director; Kuching District Education Officer Majelan Sulong; political secretary to Santubong MP, Mohammed Kamaluddin Mohd Effendie; and various school heads and district officers. child development early children education family lead nancy shukri


Borneo Post
14-07-2025
- Politics
- Borneo Post
Strong family, school collaboration key to holistic child development, says minister
Nancy (seated centre) joins education officers and award recipients for a group photo. KUCHING (July 14): Holistic development in children begins with stronger collaboration between families, schools, and communities, said Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri. Nancy emphasised that the success of children's education hinges on a supportive ecosystem involving parents, educators, and society at large. 'I believe a strong family is the foundation of educational success, and therefore, I would like to propose closer collaboration between the Kuching District Education Office and my ministry to implement family and parenting support programmes in schools,' she said. She made these remarks during the 2024 Kuching District Education Office Excellent Service Awards (APC) ceremony, held at Dewan Hikmah in Petra Jaya here yesterday. She said such initiatives should be a joint effort between the Ministry of Education and her ministry, to ensure children are nurtured in an environment that promotes their all-round development. Nancy highlighted that shaping future generations requires shared responsibility among teachers, parents, and the community leaders. 'It is our collective duty to nurture our children, instilling cultural, religious, and national values. 'This responsibility should not rest solely on teachers. Strong connections between educators and the wider community are vital,' she stressed. 'Meaningful engagement allows us to listen to feedback from community leaders and parent-teacher associations, giving them space to share their observations — not only from their homes but also from their villages and surroundings,' she added. Nancy reaffirmed her ministry's commitment to supporting families through platforms such as the One-Stop Social Support Centre (PSSS), which she noted has become increasingly relevant and widely accepted. She also shared efforts in her Santubong parliamentary constituency, where her service centre collaborates with education authorities to improve infrastructure and deliver learning support across 26 schools. 'We are intensifying efforts to support students, especially from B40 families, by providing school supplies, small scholarships, motivational programmes, and enhancing digital literacy and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) initiatives. Nancy stressed that the objective is not only to ensure children receive a quality education, but also to prepare them to thrive in an increasingly challenging global environment. A total of 414 recipients were honoured during the APC event, including eight PPD Kuching staff, three principals, seven headmasters, 396 teachers, and other school support staff. Nancy concluded by urging educators to uphold a culture of excellence grounded in integrity and sincerity. 'This is the foundation of building a progressive society — one that is knowledgeable, ethical, and empathetic,' she said. Also present were Sarawak Education Department deputy director (Learning Sector) Siti Zulaiha Ibrahim, representing Sarawak State Education Director; Kuching District Education Officer Majelan Sulong; political secretary to Santubong MP, Mohammed Kamaluddin Mohd Effendie; and various school heads and district officers. child development early children education family lead nancy shukri


Khaleej Times
03-07-2025
- Khaleej Times
UAE: Police forces launch summer youth programmes
In a continued effort to engage and empower the nation's youth, both Ajman and Ras Al Khaimah Police have launched their flagship summer programmes each tailored to instill values of discipline, patriotism, and responsibility in young Emiratis. In Ajman, the Police General Headquarters inaugurated the 26th edition of the 'Future Police' summer programme for boys and the 8th edition for girls. This year, the programme welcomed 315 Emirati students between the ages of 12 and 17, including 79 participants from the Masfout and Manama regions. Held under the patronage of Brigadier-General Sultan Khalifa Al Muhairi, Director General of Resources and Support Services, the programme aligns with the UAE's 'Year of Community' and emphasises inclusive participation, welcoming students of determination and orphans with the support of the Social Support Centre. Brig-Gen. Al Muhairi underscored that the 'Future Police' initiative is one of Ajman Police's most impactful annual programmes, aiming to build a generation grounded in national values, civic duty, and self-confidence. The programme includes a comprehensive schedule of military training, weapons handling, physical fitness, and self-defence, as well as emergency preparedness and road safety workshops. A rich cultural and religious curriculum further supports the development of balanced, conscientious young citizens. Lt-Col. Mohammed Rashid Al Jarwan Al Shamsi, Head of the Police Training Centre, affirmed that qualified professionals deliver all activities to ensure both rigor and safety. Meanwhile, in Ras Al Khaimah, the third edition of the 'Police Friends' summer programme was launched at the Zayed Educational Complex in Awafi, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education. Led by Brigadier General Jamal Ahmed Al Tair, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Ras Al Khaimah Police, the initiative welcomed 150 students from the local community. The opening ceremony was attended by senior officers and Hayat Al Shehhi, Director of the Zayed Educational Complex–Awafi. Brig-Gen Al Tair toured the various programme facilities including a taekwondo hall, military and physical training gym, football field, swimming pool, library, and lecture halls emphasising the importance of providing youth with an environment that fosters discipline and ambition. He also announced plans for educational field trips, including a visit to the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC), aimed at sparking students' interest in space exploration and innovation through satellite technologies. He stated that 'Police Friends' is designed to build character through a blend of sports, security education, cultural enrichment, and recreational activities. The programme encourages students to make productive use of their summer break by developing useful life skills, understanding police and military culture, and nurturing a strong sense of national loyalty and security awareness. Both programmes, while distinct in structure and location, reflect the unified vision of UAE police forces to invest in youth as the foundation of a secure and progressive society. By equipping the next generation with the tools to lead, serve, and protect, Ajman and Ras Al Khaimah Police are playing a pivotal role in shaping the future of the nation.


Gulf News
20-04-2025
- Gulf News
UAE: Three students sentenced to community service over school assault
Ras Al Khaimah: The Ras Al Khaimah Second Criminal Court for Juvenile Misdemeanours has revised its earlier ruling in a school assault case involving three Egyptian students aged between 15 and 16. The court accepted the appeal and sentenced the teenagers to 48 hours of community service at the Emirates Cultural and Sports Club. They will serve the sentence in four-hour weekend shifts until the end of the academic year. Case details The case refers to a violent incident that occurred on Monday, January 13, 2025, during school hours at a Ras Al Khaimah School. A 15-year-old Egyptian student was assaulted by three classmates at around 3.20pm. According to the victim, the attack was sudden. Two boys blocked the classroom door while a third physically assaulted him. Lawyer Hanan Salem Al Shimili, representing the main defendant—a 15-year-old boy—confirmed that the assault resulted in injuries that temporarily impaired the victim's ability to carry out basic personal tasks. The second and third defendants were charged with aiding and abetting the attack. Earlier judgement Initially, the court ruled that all three boys be placed in a juvenile facility. However, following an appeal requesting a more lenient sentence, the court substituted the decision with community service, while denying a full acquittal. The revised judgement was issued this month. On the same day, the victim's father noticed bruises on his son's neck and face, and learnt that he had lost consciousness during the assault. He immediately took him to Ras Al Khaimah Hospital, where medical staff confirmed visible signs of assault—including injuries to the head, neck, shoulders, and sensitive areas. The school was promptly notified, and the matter was referred to both the police and the Social Support Centre for full investigation. A detailed medical report was issued shortly thereafter. During a follow-up interview at the hospital, the student identified five classmates as either directly involved in or complicit in the attack. His father described his son as quiet and well-behaved and expressed shock that the situation had escalated to physical violence—particularly after repeated bullying by the main accused. The father of the main defendant admitted that his son was involved in the altercation. According to him, the teenager claimed he had been provoked by an insult directed at his parents, which triggered the outburst. He described his son as short-tempered and acknowledged ongoing verbal tension between the two boys. Bullying concerns The victim's father further revealed that this was not an isolated incident. He claimed his son had endured verbal abuse and provocation by the same student since the beginning of the school year—both in class and during breaks. Documentation and evidence of this sustained pattern of harassment were submitted to the Social Support Centre. Key evidence Among the most significant evidence was a 24-minute audio recording featuring testimonies from those involved. Toward the end of the recording, one of the accused is heard speaking with arrogance and a dismissive tone—showing little remorse and appearing indifferent to potential consequences. CCTV footage from the school was also submitted in evidence. The recording supports the victim's account and corresponds with medical findings. Authorities' recommendations The case has underscored the need for early intervention when student conflicts arise and shows the critical role that families, schools, and support systems play in maintaining a safe learning environment for all. In light of the evidence and testimonies, the relevant authorities made the following recommendations to help prevent future incidents and to support the students involved: Behavioural Intervention: Address the root causes of aggressive behaviour among the offenders. Parental Engagement: Strengthen collaboration with families to promote understanding and corrective action. Increased Monitoring: Improve supervision within the school to ensure students' safety. Support for the Victim: Provide psychological counselling and emotional care. Cultural Reform in Schools: Foster a culture of respect, safety, and accountability.