‘Challenges faced by teachers affecting quality of education’
abu dhabi — Teachers overburdened with classroom pressure, lack of adequate training and the “replacement of Arab teachers with Westerners” were on top of the Federal National Council’s (FNC) agenda, during a heated discussion on Tuesday evening.
Dr Amal Al Qubaisi, Speaker of the FNC, opened the closing of the 16th legislative session in the presence of Hussain bin Ibrahim Al Hammadi, Minister of Education, where FNC members voiced their concerns about education challenges.
Naama Al Sharhan, FNC member from Ras Al Khaimah, said complaints have been received from teachers, parents and students about the “instability being caused by long teaching hours, increasing numbers of students for each class and lack of training”. As a result, the quality of teaching is being affected, she said.
“Teachers have 24 classes to take care of and that is too much to cope with. Teachers are also being randomly transferred from one school to another,” Al Sharhan said.
She noted that teachers are resigning because they are overburdened with work. Between 2014 and 2016, 900 Emirati teachers resigned from public schools.
“They are overloaded with work, and are not involved in any of the decision making process. Teachers have lost their respect inside the classroom because they haven’t been properly trained,” she added.
She also highlighted that Arab teachers are becoming “easily replaced by Western teachers”.
“Why are foreign teachers receiving Dh18,000 salaries and being hired without any training? The local teachers and Arab expats who helped build generations of schools are being replaced,” she said. “It is painful to see our teachers feeling alienated.”
It’s not about nationality
The Minister of Education said the replacement of Arab teachers by foreigners is largely due
Why are foreign teachers receiving Dh18,000 salaries and being hired without any training? The local teachers and Arab expats who helped build generations of schools are being replaced.” Naama Al Sharhan, FNC member from RAK
to their qualifications. “Certainly, Arab teachers have contributed heavily in education, but in the end, teachers require certain qualifications. Anyone who works in education should meet these qualifications.
“So, why should we be unfair to our children?” Al Hammadi asked.
Certainly, Arab teachers have contributed heavily in education, but in the end, teachers require certain qualifications. Anyone who works in education should meet these qualifications.” Hussein Al Hammadi, Minister of Education
He stressed that it is not the nationality, but the teacher’s qualification that is considered. As a result of this, the education children receive is of a better quality.
The minister said teachers are being trained for curriculums with knowledge and skills tests.
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We have been waiting since the end of 2015 to have our questions answered. If everything was as perfect as it has been described, we wouldn’t see most of our children in private schools.” Hamas Al Rahoomi, FNC member from Dubai