Tarsheed Educational Publications
In 2014, the Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies - Tarsheed launched a project to develop a series of school textbooks in world history for Grades 6 to 10 in Arabic. These books were designed to serve as a core component of the history curriculum at the Arab International Academy in Qatar, established by Tarsheed, and to be made available to other schools, teachers, and educators for broader use.
The primary motivation behind this initiative was a recognition of the importance of history as a subject in shaping identity, strengthening a sense of belonging, and developing a deep and critical understanding of the past. The curriculum also aims to enhance students’ understanding of the history of Arab-Islamic civilization, as well as the histories of other societies and cultures, within a comprehensive humanistic perspective.
Through initial discussions and meetings, followed by seminars and workshops involving historians and education specialists, the foundations of the project were established, its objectives defined, and its guiding frameworks and methodologies developed. After drafting the textbooks and preparing their core content, they underwent internal review, evaluation, and critique to ensure alignment with the project’s goals and conceptual framework, before receiving formal academic and official approvals.
The curriculum is designed to achieve key educational objectives related to both knowledge and skills development. It places particular emphasis on skills such as research, inquiry, critical thinking, and communication, while promoting modern teaching and learning strategies that position the student at the center of the learning process, moving beyond rote memorization.
A wide range of sources is used, including primary documents, images, museums, monuments, and historical films. The textbooks also include a variety of activities linked to each unit to enhance student learning and engagement.
The curriculum was academically and pedagogically supervised by Mr. Khalil Makari, Educational Consultant for Social and Human Sciences and Coordinator of Arabic Language Programs for non-native speakers. It was academically reviewed by historian Dr. Abdelrahim Benhadda, Professor of History at the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies and former dean at both the Institute and Mohammed V University in Rabat, as well as by historian Jamal Barout, Scientific Editor at the Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies. All curriculum activities were reviewed by Mr. Khaled Al-Masri, Head of the History Department and secondary-level history teacher at the Arab International Academy.
