Muscat – An Omani research project – funded by the Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation (MoHERI) – revealed that while the principles of global citizenship education (GCED) are present in the visions and missions of Omani schools, there is a need for their reevaluation and strengthening.

Led by Dr Khalaf Marhoun al Abri from Sultan Qaboos University, the Omani researchers studied the nitty-gritty of the incorporation of global citizenship principles and concepts in Omani education policies.

The study confirmed the sultanate’s commitment to education for global citizenship through the inclusion of relevant principles and elements in policy documents. It also highlighted the importance of shaping a new approach to fully embody these principles in Omani schools.

Based on the research outcomes, the team developed a training programme for teachers, which was successfully implemented in cooperation with the Ministry of Education and the Omani National Commission for Education, Culture, and Science. 

The programme, aimed at enhancing GCED, was adopted at the regional level by the Unesco office in Doha and has been implemented in Unesco-affiliated schools in Kuwait in April this year.

GCED is Unesco’s response to human rights violations, inequality and poverty that threaten peace and sustainability. It works by empowering learners of all ages to understand that these are global, not local issues and to become active promoters of more peaceful, tolerant, inclusive, secure and sustainable societies.

Omani researchers focused on analysing school education policies and plans, particularly in primary schools, to evaluate their alignment with the objectives of global citizenship education. 

Dr Khalaf and his team also investigated the challenges faced in implementing education for global citizenship in primary schools.

This research project holds significance as it aligns with the sultanate’s aspirations to be a global proponent of peace and coexistence. It supports the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals 2030 and analyses educational policies and plans in Oman to ensure that they reflect national and international trends in global citizenship education. 

The research findings have been published in the Sustainability and Citizenship, Social and Economics Education journals. The research team comprised Dr Khalaf al Abri, Dr Abdullah Khamis Ambusaidi, Dr Badriya Rashid al Hadi, Nadia Ali al Mamari, Nadhira Ahmed al Harthy, Dr Maymoona Hamad al Hinai, and Asila Ali al Zari.