The essential role of school teachers

Schools have to invest more in raising and maintaining the quality of teaching staff

The fast development of the UAE education system means that there will be constant challenges along the way. As The National reported yesterday, experts say that many schools will face a struggle to survive in coming years, due to rising operating costs, falling profits and intensified global competition for the best teachers. Clive Pierrepont, director of communications at education provider Taaleem, said that this situation will require schools to invest more in high-quality teaching – the most important feature in any successful school.

But how can schools hire talented and effective staff? The solution is not only to attract qualified teachers to the country, but also to create an environment for them to prosper by equipping them with the tools they need to excel and stay motivated.

Since many expatriate teachers come to the UAE for just a few years, there could be programmes to ensure those who plan to leave pass on their experience to newcomers. This could include an individual mentoring system to help them feel at home at a UAE school, understand the environment, get used to classes and handling groups of pupils, and learn how to correct problems of class-behaviour and innovative ways to implement the curriculum.

While support for beginners is important, all teachers need continual professional development. Teaching is a lifelong occupation that can have little upwards or downwards mobility, which can make it routine and less stimulating with time. This means that teachers, perhaps more than other professionals, need an organised support system.

There should be programmes to encourage all teachers to read up-to-date professional literature and to experiment with ways to develop the curriculum. It’s important that they are given the freedom to develop lesson plans to engage students in learning consistent with their school’s standards and curricula. Schoolteachers, like university professors, should also have the opportunity to attend pedagogical or educational seminars or conferences.

This won’t only help private schools generate profits, it will also serve social development. Teachers are important not only because they provide instruction to children, but they stand as an additional source of support in the life of a child, providing them with encouragement and a multifaceted sense of purpose.