Summer programmes nurture skills, engage minds
Published: 06:05 PM,May 13,2025 | EDITED : 10:05 PM,May 13,2025
Summer programmes nurture skills, engage minds
Muscat: As school children are gearing up for long summer holidays, various institutions across the Sultanate of Oman are set to launch a wide array of programmes. These initiatives, often hosted by educational institutions, youth centres and cultural organisations, provide a structured and enriching environment for participants to acquire new skills, discover their talents, and engage in meaningful activities.
Summer programmes have evolved into an integral part of Oman’s educational vision, aligned with the broader goals of Oman Vision 2040, which places human capital development at its core.
The Ministry of Education, in a statement, said, “Our objective is to make summer programmes a natural extension of the academic year — but with a flexible and engaging approach. This year’s focus is on creative thinking, robotics, arts, and life skills such as time management and teamwork. The ministry, in collaboration with both public and private sector partners, is overseeing several summer programmes across schools and youth centres, ensuring well-trained staff and safe learning environments.'
From language courses and technology boot camps to visual arts workshops and sports sessions, summer activities cater to a broad spectrum of interests and age groups. In several wilayats, community-led initiatives supported by volunteers are helping make these programmes more accessible, especially in rural areas.
Ziyana al Balushi, supervisor of a summer centre in Al Seeb, stated: “We’ve noticed a growing interest among parents in recent years, particularly in programmes that focus on modern skills like coding, public speaking, and design. Our aim is to strike a balance between fun and learning while encouraging children to explore their potential.” She noted an increase in girls’ participation, especially in creative workshops such as digital design, calligraphy, and photography. A significant driver behind the success and popularity of summer programmes in Oman is the rising awareness among parents of their value in shaping their children’s futures.
Mohammed al Hadhrami, father of two middle school students, explained: “For our family, summer programmes are essential. They provide a safe environment and help our children explore their interests. We look for activities that combine knowledge with practical application — such as science workshops and robotics.” He added: “Last year, my son became noticeably more confident after completing a public speaking course. This year, we’ve enrolled him in a robotics programme.”
In addition to public initiatives, private training centres are also witnessing strong enrolment figures during the summer season. These centres offer a range of specialised courses in programming, languages, creative arts, and personal development.
Said al Busafi, director of a private training centre in Muscat, said: “We focus on high-quality, competitively priced programmes. This summer, we introduced a course on artificial intelligence for children, designed to make the concept accessible and engaging. It’s been very well received.” He highlighted that some programmes are based on internationally recognised curricula, which adds extra value for participants and prepares them for future academic and professional pursuits.
In rural areas and smaller towns, local volunteer teams and community organisations are stepping up to offer summer activities that are both educational and culturally grounded. Saif al Mashani, a member of a youth team in Salalah, said: “We believe that every child deserves the chance to learn and grow, regardless of where they live.
That’s why we organise free summer programmes in villages, including tutoring, arts and crafts workshops and cultural competitions.”
He noted that the success of these programmes relies heavily on volunteer teachers and university students, as well as support from local authorities and the community.
Educators and youth specialists emphasise the importance of expanding and institutionalising summer programmes by enhancing public-private partnerships and providing more support to grassroots initiatives.
There are also calls for regular assessment of programme outcomes through feedback and performance tracking, to ensure that educational and developmental goals are being met.
Summer programmes in Oman are proving to be more than just a way to pass the time. They are a strategic investment in the next generation, offering children and youth the opportunity to explore, grow and thrive in a safe and stimulating environment. With growing parental interest and a diverse range of offerings, the future of summer education in Oman looks promising.
BLURB
The objective of the Ministry of Education is to make summer programmes a natural extension of the academic year — but with a flexible and engaging approach. This year’s focus is on creative thinking, robotics, arts and life skills such as time management and teamwork.
Summer programmes have evolved into an integral part of Oman’s educational vision, aligned with the broader goals of Oman Vision 2040, which places human capital development at its core.
The Ministry of Education, in a statement, said, “Our objective is to make summer programmes a natural extension of the academic year — but with a flexible and engaging approach. This year’s focus is on creative thinking, robotics, arts, and life skills such as time management and teamwork. The ministry, in collaboration with both public and private sector partners, is overseeing several summer programmes across schools and youth centres, ensuring well-trained staff and safe learning environments.'
From language courses and technology boot camps to visual arts workshops and sports sessions, summer activities cater to a broad spectrum of interests and age groups. In several wilayats, community-led initiatives supported by volunteers are helping make these programmes more accessible, especially in rural areas.
Ziyana al Balushi, supervisor of a summer centre in Al Seeb, stated: “We’ve noticed a growing interest among parents in recent years, particularly in programmes that focus on modern skills like coding, public speaking, and design. Our aim is to strike a balance between fun and learning while encouraging children to explore their potential.” She noted an increase in girls’ participation, especially in creative workshops such as digital design, calligraphy, and photography. A significant driver behind the success and popularity of summer programmes in Oman is the rising awareness among parents of their value in shaping their children’s futures.
Mohammed al Hadhrami, father of two middle school students, explained: “For our family, summer programmes are essential. They provide a safe environment and help our children explore their interests. We look for activities that combine knowledge with practical application — such as science workshops and robotics.” He added: “Last year, my son became noticeably more confident after completing a public speaking course. This year, we’ve enrolled him in a robotics programme.”
In addition to public initiatives, private training centres are also witnessing strong enrolment figures during the summer season. These centres offer a range of specialised courses in programming, languages, creative arts, and personal development.
Said al Busafi, director of a private training centre in Muscat, said: “We focus on high-quality, competitively priced programmes. This summer, we introduced a course on artificial intelligence for children, designed to make the concept accessible and engaging. It’s been very well received.” He highlighted that some programmes are based on internationally recognised curricula, which adds extra value for participants and prepares them for future academic and professional pursuits.
In rural areas and smaller towns, local volunteer teams and community organisations are stepping up to offer summer activities that are both educational and culturally grounded. Saif al Mashani, a member of a youth team in Salalah, said: “We believe that every child deserves the chance to learn and grow, regardless of where they live.
That’s why we organise free summer programmes in villages, including tutoring, arts and crafts workshops and cultural competitions.”
He noted that the success of these programmes relies heavily on volunteer teachers and university students, as well as support from local authorities and the community.
Educators and youth specialists emphasise the importance of expanding and institutionalising summer programmes by enhancing public-private partnerships and providing more support to grassroots initiatives.
There are also calls for regular assessment of programme outcomes through feedback and performance tracking, to ensure that educational and developmental goals are being met.
Summer programmes in Oman are proving to be more than just a way to pass the time. They are a strategic investment in the next generation, offering children and youth the opportunity to explore, grow and thrive in a safe and stimulating environment. With growing parental interest and a diverse range of offerings, the future of summer education in Oman looks promising.
BLURB
The objective of the Ministry of Education is to make summer programmes a natural extension of the academic year — but with a flexible and engaging approach. This year’s focus is on creative thinking, robotics, arts and life skills such as time management and teamwork.