Public education overhaul unveiled
Our future begins in schools, and everyone must bear the responsibility for future generations and citizens, Mohammad says
Major changes in public education, introducing radical shift in learning and curriculum, were unveiled yesterday.
The changes were presented to His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, by the Minister of Education, Hussain Ebrahim Al Hammadi.
“Our future begins in schools, and everyone must bear the responsibility for future generations and citizens, and we have confidence in our teachers bringing about a real change,” Shaikh Mohammad said.
The changes, beginning with the new school year which started on Sunday, will abolish the traditional science and arts streams in favour of one general stream.
Another stream, the advanced, will be introduced with focus on developing advanced skills of students. A new programme for ‘elite’ students will also be introduced this year, starting with nearly 1,500 students who have shown exceptional abilities.
New changes to the curriculum include the introduction of bilingual instruction in public schools, new versions of the science and mathematics books, IT classes such as Creative Design and Innovation, programming and coding classes, basic nursing
skills and life skills. There will also be elective classes like Financial Skills.
Shaikh Mohammad said the ministry will have the support of all government bodies in implementing the changes. He said developing the education system is a must “and not a matter of choice” to develop “a generation that possesses skills for the future.”
The minister said the new education strategy is part of the ministry’s efforts to achieve the objectives of the National Agenda, launched by the Cabinet in early 2014 which comprises development plans in all government sectors.
Acomprehensive development plan for the education sector will bring about massive changes that will benefit future generations of Emirati students.
His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, was briefed on the plan yesterday during a visit to the Ministry of Education.
The plan will be implemented this year and will bring about massive changes in school curriculums, educational streams, as well as student and school evaluation systems.
Shaikh Mohammad was welcomed by Hussain Ebrahim Al Hammadi, Minister of Education; Jameela Salem Al Muhairi, Minister of State for Public Education; and Ahmad Abdullah Humaid Bel Houl Al Falasi, Minister of State for Higher Education.
The changes approved by Shaikh Mohammad introduce new curriculum in technology, innovative design, health sciences, business management, life skills and career guidance.
Another change will be merging the streams of science and literature into a unified stream, in addition to introducing a stream for exceptional elite students. During the coming period, teaching will gradually be bilingual, with a focus on national identity and Emirati characteristics of openness, tolerance and keeping abreast with educational and technological developments.