By: Hussain Sajwani
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a country that is batting way above average in the field of education. Thanks to its wise leadership and commitment, over 1 million students across the UAE have successfully returned to their classrooms to continue their education seamlessly and safely, according to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
With its state-of-the-art infrastructure, smart initiatives, and ability to craft proactive solutions to keep pace with changes and overcome challenges, the UAE has become a shining example for other countries in the world.
Our leaders continue to inspire me to contribute to advancing education. It is within this context that the social responsibility arm of DAMAC Group has proactively collaborated with The Knowledge Fund and the Dubai Schools Project to offer scholarships to UAE National Children for a 5-year period.
We have also partnered with the Dubai Future Foundation to provide software development training to one million young adults across the Arab world, known as the One Million Arab Coders Initiative.
We also supported Al Hadaf Centre for People of Determination by providing their students with electronic devices that will allow them to continue their education through distance learning.
Additionally, we make every effort to ensure residents in our master-planned communities and building projects have easy access to good schools either within our developments or in surrounding areas.
Unlocking potential
A quality education can help students thrive and unlock their full potential. Back in May this year, President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan said education is a key foundation to achieving sustainable development and preparing the UAE for the post-oil era.
We are today on the brink of becoming a growing regional hub for education as we are witnessing an unprecedented pace of normalisation and a resurgence in enrolments across K-12 and higher education institutions.
Officials are monitoring and conducting field visits, launching various initiatives, honouring outstanding students, and issuing directives aimed at advancing scientific development, which are the vital components of a knowledge-based economy and key drivers of sustainable development.
Below are some of the key initiatives undertaken by the country in the education sector along with key strengths:
Strong government support
The UAE government allocates a significant share of the federal budget for the development of the education system every year to provide quality education services and enhance a knowledge-based economy. As reported by the MoE, there has been an increase in budget allocation by 60 per cent from 2016 to 2020, which testifies to the efforts by the leaders of this nation to quality learning.
Digital transformation
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, earlier launched the Mohammed bin Rashid Smart Learning Initiative to “to bring digital learning to new horizons as it is the education of the future.”
The digital school provides distance education in a smart and flexible format, so students can join wherever they are, with a focus on the less fortunate, the disadvantaged and refugees in Arab nations and across the globe. It also involves the distribution of digital learning materials to all students, and the provision of high-speed 5G networks to all state schools.
Two-track education system
To prepare students for the knowledge economy, the UAE abolished the section system based on the scientific and literary streams and replaced it with a two-track system: general education and advanced education. This step is aimed at equipping the students with skills needed to succeed in higher education and meet the job market needs.
Reformed teaching system
The UAE has a new teacher licensing system called ‘Teacher and Educational Leadership Standards (TELS UAE) and Licensing Programme’. The system will standardise qualifications for Emirati and expatriate teachers in private and public schools. Teachers will have to pass a national examination and show a portfolio of work history.
Happiness programme
The Happiness and Well-being Council at MoE has launched several initiatives and programmes to further support the education sector. ‘Positive Schools’ is a national network offering membership to government and private schools interested in consolidating positive education based on the well-being of their students and teachers.
Regular inspections
To ensure quality education and support schools’ improvement and students’ outcomes, the Ministry of Education carries out regular school inspections.
Our commitment to the nation
As the UAE continues redefining education, I would like to commend our wise leadership and the government for ensuring a sustainable learning process across the country. I also thank the teachers, students, and parents for their significant role in successfully adapting to the changes.
We strongly believe education is key to building a stronger and more sustainable country. It is because of our commitment to this nation that we have made education a key consideration in planning our property developments and we have placed it at the core of our corporate social responsibility.
