ONA__The Sultanate of Oman yesterday hosted the 7th meeting of the GCC Education Ministers’ Committee. The meeting discussed a wide range of topics, including the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in the field of education, the effects of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) on education and ways to instill principles of financial culture in school students.

Dr. Madiha Ahmed Al Shaibani, Minister of Education, who chaired the meeting, delivered a speech in which she affirmed that the educational work in GCC countries is progressing at a steady pace, inspired by the determination of the countries’ leaders to establish common visions to upgrade education in a manner that better serves the future of the GCC people. This, she added, underscores the leading role of education in achieving the common objectives, notably sustainable development goals (SDGs).

or his part, Jassim Mohammed Al Budaiwi, GCC Secretary General, commended the efforts of the GCC Education Ministers’ Committee in lending strong support to the GCC, since its inception in 1975.

Al Budaiwi also valued the efforts of GCC education ministries during the Covid-19 pandemic. This stance reflected the ministers’ ability to deal with disasters within their scopes of action, he added.

The ministers looked into the proposal of the Sultanate of Oman, represented by the Ministry of Education, on issues of priority within the context of the member states’ cooperation and exchange of expertise.

The ministers also underlined the importance of protecting moral, religious, and family values in Gulf societies. Towards this goal, they stressed the need to utilize the full potential and capabilities of all institutions, including diplomatic, media, educational, cultural, legislative, religious and civil institutions. The overall objective should be preserving the intactness of the family, the unity of society and member states’ progress and prosperity, the ministers said.