Sharjah24: The Sharjah Social Empowerment Foundation (SSEF) participated in the Educational Innovation Conference held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to present a study and research conducted by the foundation on the role of the pioneering educational project "Teach with Pen" in supporting psychological and educational guidance for orphans. The conference focused on presenting and highlighting innovation in educational practices.

The conference discussed issues directly related to education, studies, and research related to innovation in educational work, including the study of developing teaching methods and their improvement, as well as presenting studies and research within innovation in educational administration and supervision, which are essential foundations for influencing educational work.

The conference's scientific sessions addressed studies and research related to innovation in curricula, teaching materials, and teaching techniques, their evaluation and development across different teaching stages and educational conditions. It also addressed the employment of educational psychology, child psychology, and developmental characteristics, as well as testing, talent, and special education fields in educational work development.

The Director-General of SSEF Mona Al-Suwaidi, stated: "The Foundation is keen on participating in such scientific forums that provide opportunities for exchanging ideas and experiences, to keep abreast of new developments and practices to contribute to shaping a better future for serving and caring for orphans."

She continued: "This study was conducted on a sample of 972 orphans benefiting from the 'Teach with Pen' project in Sharjah and the central and eastern regions out of a total of 1,763 orphan students in the foundation, aiming to highlight the importance of linking academic empowerment for orphans with increasing their educational achievement and with psychological and educational support for them. Furthermore, through this participation, we were able to shed light on the "Teach with Pen" project as a practical initiative for orphans within the foundation  and its tangible impact on supporting psychological and educational counseling programs for them. It serves as a reference for interested parties to share information in an applied study to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge received by students in the educational field and the psychological and educational domains, and the practical application of this information, emphasising the importance of linking academic empowerment for orphans with increasing their educational achievement and with moral support."



Ms. Al-Suwaidi emphasised: The study focused on the impact of difficult psychological conditions faced by fatherless children on their academic attainment and educational level, which are recurring problems for orphans addressed in psychological counseling programs. Therefore, the presented study constituted an urgent necessity for its development and improvement to support orphans and assist them, serving as an essential reference for professionals in the field to benefit from in their professional practice as a practical study from real-life experience.


The study clarified the role of the educational project "Teach with Pen" provided by the foundation, including various services such as scholarship provision, university grants, educational support lessons, digital learning devices provision, academic monitoring, guidance, academic assessment sessions, academic courses, enrollment in specialised centres, nurturing talented individuals, honouring high achievers, and catering to students with learning difficulties, and the impact of these services in supporting psychological and educational counseling programs for orphans.