Monday, Apr 22, 2013

Abu Dhabi: Growing numbers of children are developing irreversible back deformities because of heavy backpacks they carry to schools, warned a member of the Federal National Council.

Ali Eisa Al Nuaimi, a representative from Ajman, will be quizzing the Minister of Education, Humaid Al Qutami, on measures the ministry will take to reduce injuries and pain caused by overweight backpacks and help children stay healthier.

Experts have warned half of all children suffer back pain by the age of 14 and doctors are reporting a rise in cases of spinal abnormalities in pupils, including disfiguring curvature known as scoliosis.

Health experts say children risk long-term and ultimately permanent damage if they regularly carry more than 15 per cent of their body weight over their shoulders.

Al Nuaimi said many youngsters are carrying as much as 27 per cent of their weight to and from school — 12 per cent more than permissible.

The education minister will also be questioned about the reason why supervision of teaching standards was cancelled.

Aisha Al Yamahi, a member from Fujairah, is calling for enhancing supervision of teaching standards, particularly in Dubai and the northern emirates.

“The Ministry of Education has developed a schooling control system with a view to improving education. But the system backfired because the concept of supervision of teaching standards has been changed into inspection and control, which does not fit the teaching process, and limits the role of instructors to their membership in inspection committees which began work this academic year,” said Aisha.

Ahmad Ali Al Za’abi, a member from Sharjah, will put a question to Minister of Justice Dr Hadef Jua’an Al Daheri on double charging by the ministry and federal courts. Dr Al Daheri will also be quizzed on the backlog of lawsuits at courts.

Reem Al Hashemi, Minister of State, will be asked why national accounts are delayed.

Ahmad Obaid Al Mansouri, a member from Dubai, said the National Bureau of Statistics has often delayed national accounts which have become the universal overview statistics on the national economy. He argued national accounts and their key indicators, such as Gross Domestic Product (GDP) volume growth, national income per capita and government deficit as a percentage of GDP, play a central role in managing and analysing national economies all over the world. Many decisions, income and expenditure are directly influenced by national accounts statistics.

Obaid Humaid Al Tayer, Minister of State for Financial Affairs, will be asked why a board of directors of the Emiratres Development Bank was not yet formed.

Ahmad Al Jarwan, a member from Sharjah, will demand that the Ministry of Environment and Water enforce a consistent policy to strictly control residues of harmful substances contaminating locally manufactured and imported products to ensure food safety and hygiene.

The FNC will also address the Ministry of Public Works’ policy of maintenance of houses and federal roads. Members of the House argue that many Emiratis are staying in dilapidated houses and that many roads and highways across the country need to be improved.

By Samir Salama ?Associate Editor

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