Abu Dhabi: A new initiative will work to recruit outstanding Emirati graduates to serve as teachers for two years in high-need public schools, the Abu Dhabi Education Council (Adec) announced on Tuesday.
When launched, the programme will aim to attract more Emiratis to the teaching profession, while addressing staff shortages in the teaching of subjects such as science, English and maths. According to an Adec statement, graduates from a range of disciplines will be selected from leading universities. Though it will not be mandatory for the students to sign up for the programme, authorities will offer top graduates an opportunity to serve the nation.
The initiative, titled Teach for the UAE programme, will be implemented by UAE-based philanthropic organisation, Salama Bint Hamdan Al Nahyan Foundation, along with Abu Dhabi emirate’s education section regulator, the Abu Dhabi Education Council (Adec), and the international education opportunities organisation, Teach For All.
Chosen candidates will receive extensive training prior to beginning their teaching tenure, and alumni will be supported for leadership roles within and outside the education sector.
Dr Amal Al Qubaisi, Adec director-general, said that the drive would enable Emirati graduates to start their careers by making a notable contribution to the development of the country’s future youth, while also providing them with valuable work experience. She said that schoolchildren will also receive inspiration and encouragement from outstanding recent graduates.
“This drive will nurture and equip the next generation of Emirati leaders with the knowledge, skills and experience to eventually transform our education system,” added Shaikha Salama Bint Hamdan Al Nahyan, the Foundation’s leader.
The initiative is also expected to help raise the perception of the teaching profession among Emiratis. As Gulf News reported in September, this is a particular concern among education officials since the number of Emirati students pursuing education as a field of study is still on the decline.
Similar programmes by Teach For All have also proved successful in the United States and the United Kingdom by improving academic achievement and spurring educational reform, the Adec statement said.
As Adec officials revealed in August, a total of 4,869 Emirati educators are currently employed at Abu Dhabi emirate’s public schools. This includes 300 new Emirati teachers hired ahead of the start of the 2014-2015 academic year.
