EXPAT TEACHER RESPONDS TO EMIRATI CONCERNS

Dear Khaleej Times,

I read your article ‘FNC concern over expats grabbing teaching jobs’. Please let me explain from an expatriate teacher’s point of view.

I agree with some of what the FNC member has stated in her speech, especially about preserving culture. One point I do not agree with is that Western teachers are at fault for poor academic performance.

It is all too easy to blame teachers for poor student performance, but the reality is, they are not the problem. The former education system was the problem, and now, with the help of teachers and the ministry, we are fixing it slowly but honestly. I am proud to be part of this vision and know with hard work from all interested parties, we can achieve educational success for all learners in the UAE.

I will list some struggles that we have while teaching in public schools.

1. Students do not show up for lessons. Many students miss more than half their instructional time due to non-attendance. Any student in a Western county who misses over 21 days is automatically referred to the judge and academically placed back a grade level unless that time is made up during summer or night school.

2. The ambition from the ministry was set far above student abilities. Most of my Grade 10 students cannot read above a second or third grade reading level, yet we use books far above that.

I truly want to help my students achieve their absolute best, and I target my instruction to meet the needs of my students. The only way we can truly help students is to be honest with the situation and to stop finger pointing.

(This letter was written to Khaleej Times in response to our report headlined ‘FNC concern over expats grabbing teaching jobs’, appeared on April 29)