The 'My School… My Identity' national competition for public schools has been introduced by the Ministry of Education (MoE), which is encouraging educators and students to turn their schools into lively venues that honor Emirati cultural heritage.

The competition's goal, according to Education Minister Sarah Al Amiri, is to enable educators and students to express their creativity by creating school décor designs that honor the UAE's rich cultural history.

She stated that the ministry hopes to further inspire students to achieve their future goals by enhancing learning settings through this project.

"The Ministry of Education is dedicated to improving national education outcomes through programs and initiatives that encourage excellence," stated Al Amiri. Our strong conviction that education transcends the classroom and can be brought to life via the use of creativity, innovation, and cultural expression is reflected in this competition. We are preparing the next generation of stewards of our legacy by empowering our educators and students and creating dynamic, engaging learning environments that help them develop their abilities and reach their greatest potential."

According to Mohammed Al Qasim, the MoE's undersecretary, the competition will help raise the standard of living for pupils attending public schools.

The MoE has revealed a list of requirements for the selected schools, including showcasing Emirati culture and matching designs to learning objectives, accuracy and quality of the designs, originality and innovation, collaboration between instructors and students, and efficiency.

The technical, health, and safety considerations for putting artwork in school buildings have also been described.

In addition to Emirati artists and experts from the government of Education, the government has assembled a panel of judges that includes professionals from other organizations. They will choose the ten winning schools after reviewing and evaluating the entries according to the competition's rules and requirements.

For the top ten winners, the MoE has set aside cash prizes: AED 100,000 for first place, AED 70,000 for second, AED 50,000 for third, and AED 25,000 for fourth through tenth place.

Schools have from January 20, 2025, to March 28, 2025, to submit their entries.