Atika bint Zaid School Wins “Distinguished School” Title in Prestigious Arab Reading Challenge
KHORFAKKAN, UAE – Atika bint Zaid School in Khorfakkan has been crowned a “Distinguished School” in the ninth edition of the Arab Reading Challenge, earning a prize of one million dirhams. The award was presented by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, celebrating the school’s profound success in fostering a genuine and sustainable reading culture.
Unlike a short-term campaign, the school’s strategy was built on a long-term vision: to seamlessly integrate reading into the daily fabric of student life. This was achieved through a meticulously crafted roadmap featuring five core pillars and 73 sub-initiatives, creating an inclusive ecosystem that engaged the entire community—from administration and teachers to parents, senior citizens, people of determination, and local institutions.
A Blueprint for a Reading Revolution
Principal Hind Ahmed Al Shehhi detailed the execution of this vision. “We formed a dedicated ‘Reading Leadership Team’ that spanned the entire school community and beyond,” she explained. “This team, which included diverse members, was crucial for supporting and monitoring the implementation of our plan.”
The school’s approach was both structured and immersive. Weekly and monthly plans embedded reading directly into classroom lessons, homework, and extracurricular activities. To fuel student motivation, the school launched innovative programs like:
‘Reading Ambassador’ and ‘Reader’s Passport’: Incentivizing consistent reading.
Daily Reading Hour: A non-negotiable time dedicated solely to books.
Library Corners in Hallways: Making literature accessible and visible.
Classroom Challenges & Student Showcases: Celebrating reading achievements publicly.
Technology played a key role in tracking progress. Classrooms were connected via OneDrive, allowing teachers to monitor students’ reading passports digitally. Every week, recognition ceremonies were held to honor and celebrate new ‘reading stars.’
Empowering Educators and Families
Teacher development was a vital component. Educators participated in specialized workshops to hone skills in guiding students toward critical reading and summarization, shaping thoughtful readers rather than rote learners.
Parental involvement was secured through the ‘My Family Reads’ initiative, which encouraged and tracked reading at home. This ensured that the culture of literacy extended beyond the school gates, making it a true partnership between school and family.
A Repeat Victory and a Lasting Legacy
This is not the school’s first major achievement in the Arab Reading Challenge. During the fifth edition at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the school secured first place nationally by pioneering the conversion of all reading passports into an electronic format—an innovation later adopted by the UAE Ministry of Education for schools nationwide.
Principal Al Shehhi emphasized that winning was a byproduct of their core mission. “As a school, our primary goal was not just winning, but rather creating a generation of readers and thinkers who possess the tools for the future. The victory came as a natural result of a culture we have cultivated with faith and hard work over the years.”
The moment of recognition was profoundly emotional for the school community. “It was a moment of pride that cannot be forgotten,” Al Shehhi recalled. “We all felt that we did not just win a title, but we won a value that will remain in the minds of our children for life.”
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Tangible Results and a Sustainable Future
The impact of this deep-seated reading culture is clearly visible. Students exhibit greater confidence in public speaking, demonstrate improved writing and linguistic skills, and show enhanced academic performance across all subjects. More importantly, they are developing into informed, critical thinkers.
The school’s plan is a continuous cycle, divided into three phases: before, during, and after the challenge, ensuring the momentum never fades.
A Message to the Community
Principal Al Shehhi offers this advice to key stakeholders:
To Parents: “Reading at home is the most powerful gift you give your children. Make books a part of family life like food, sleep, and play.”
To Teachers: “Your words create passion or extinguish it. Plant a love of knowledge before the curriculum, and you will find an excellent student driven by passion, not pressure.”
To School Leaders: “Create environments that ignite curiosity in students. Real education is not based on rote learning, but on reading that expands the mind and builds the person.”
In addition to this latest accolade, Atika bint Zaid School has also been recognized with the Khalifa Educational Award for the 2025 academic year and first place in the ‘Most Beautiful School Environment’ category.
The Arab Reading Challenge, launched in 2015 by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, is the world’s largest Arabic literacy initiative. The ninth edition saw participation from over 32 million students across 50 countries.
Through its sustained efforts, Atika bint Zaid School stands as a powerful exemplar of how a strategic, community-wide commitment to reading can yield profound educational dividends for students and society.
