Bait al Zubair Competition for School Literacy Initiatives concludes

Balqees Aloraimi

The third edition of the Bait al Zubair Competition for School Literacy Initiatives, which was held in association with the Ministry of Education, concluded with the announcement of the winners.

The latest competition followed the success of the first and second editions. The idea is to address educational, pedagogical, administrative, and societal challenges by promoting reading and literacy in schools. It aims to enrich the reading experience and offer innovative solutions to prevalent issues.

The closing ceremony for the third edition was held under the auspices of Prof Abdullah bin Khamis Ambusaidi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Education for Education.

Addressing the gathering, Fatima al-Shukria, Competition Supervisor Bait al Zubair's Children’s Laboratory, and Idris al Nabhani, Director of the Ministry of Education's Department of Educational Activities, emphasised the significance of the partnership and its alignment with Oman Vision 2040, highlighting the importance of fostering community engagement with educational institutions to build a knowledge-based society.

The ceremony also included remarks from the competition jury, represented by Awad al Luwaihi, who commended all participants and praised the notable advancements in the initiatives presented. Visual presentations showcasing the competition and its stages were also a part of the event.

The top honours in this edition went to the ‘Read to Be’ initiative from Ras Madrakah School for Basic Education, which secured first place and received a prize of RO 1,000. The second place was awarded to the "Implementing the Nour al Bayan Methodology" initiative from Hudhayfah bin al Yaman School for Basic Education, receiving RO 700. The third place was claimed by the "By Reading Asmo" initiative from Kabara School for Basic Education, earning RO 600, while the fourth place went to the "I am a Skilled Reader and Author" initiative from Al Ahed School for Basic Education, receiving RO 500. The fifth place was awarded to the "I Read Electronically" initiative from Al Buraimi School for Basic Education, which received RO 400.

Additionally, the "Journey" initiative from Ma'oula Bin Shams School for Basic Education and the "Athar" initiative by student Rahaf al Alawi from Hajar Umm Ismail School received incentive prizes and 400 Omani Riyals each.

Since its inception, the competition has aimed to honour and celebrate Arabic language reading initiatives and encourage competition in the realm of reading, either by furthering existing initiatives or inspiring future ones. It seeks to tap into the potential of students and school staff to foster a culture of reading and strengthen ties between schools and their local communities.

Notably, the Bait al Zubair Competition for School Reading Initiatives has welcomed participation from students and all school employees, including administrative and teaching staff in public and private schools. To participate, initiatives must be at least two academic years old at the time of nomination, with each school allowed a maximum of two entries. As outlined in the competition guide, creative and innovative aspects in implementing reading initiatives are key criteria.

Distinguishing this edition, Fatima al Shukri highlighted the absence of local committees in governorates responsible for receiving, sorting, and evaluating entries. Instead, entries from all governorates were submitted directly to Beit Al Zubair, undergoing initial sorting in May, preliminary evaluation in June, and final evaluation on the day preceding the closing ceremony. The top five qualified initiatives were granted the opportunity to make a final presentation before the jury.

The Bait al Zubair Competition for School Reading Initiatives is one of several projects undertaken by the Bait al Zubair Foundation to elevate competitiveness and acknowledge individual and collective achievements in various cultural domains. Another notable project is the Sadiq Jawad Award for Intellectual and Philosophical Studies, with the winners set to be announced in November.