Abu Dhabi: More Emiratis will soon work in public school canteens across the emirate of Abu Dhabi, the Abu Dhabi Education Council (Adec) has announced. The Emiratisation initiative follows the signing of an agreement between Abu Dhabi emirate’s education sector regulator Adec, and philanthropic organisation, the Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation. The agreement also seeks to ensure that prices of food offered at these canteens are maintained.
“Recruiting Emirati talent is a priority in [all sectors], and our strategic partnership with the Khalifa Foundation, which is known for its social and humanitarian contributions, will serve as a model to pursue the Emiratisation goal via more joint collaborations,” said Dr Amal Al Qubaisi, director-general at the Adec on Monday.
There are 256 public schools across the emirate in the 2014-2015 academic year, and they enrol about 126,000 pupils between them. Adec officials told Gulf News that about 520 Emirati personnel are expected to be recruited as part of this drive.
According to the Adec statement, the Khalifa Foundation will be responsible for providing water, juices, milk and food in canteens at subsidised prices to all these schools, thus ensuring affordability.
The Emiratisation will be carried out in phases, with the first phase pertaining to nurseries and Cycle 1 (Grades 1 to 5) schools. Future phases will include Cycle 2 (Grades 6 to 9) and Cycle 3 (Grades 10-12) schools.
Trained
“The Emirati recruits will sell food to pupils, and currently about 127 schools are being targeted in the first phase,” officials said.
The Adec will facilitate contracts with food service providers, and ensure that items served meet quality standards.
Emirati personnel who are recruited will also be trained, and will be required to obtain licences required by the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority for any staff member who handles food. The agreement therefore includes an understanding with national transport provider Emirates Transport, which will recruit, train and supervise newly-employed Emirati salesmen and saleswomen.
The Adec has been focusing on engaging and retaining more Emiratis in the education sector. For instance, it announced a new salary structure in 2013 that promises 35 per cent greater pay and benefits for Emirati teachers, leaders and administrative staff at public schools.
