‘Let Emirati pupils fail so that they can improve’

Low-achieving Emiratis should be allowed to fail so they can reach new heights, experts said as they tackled a notion that UAE nationals do not work hard.

Experts at the conference yesterday in Ras Al Khaimah said that the bias existed for teachers and employers.

They said some employers had thought that Emirati students did not strive for excellence and would not give 100 per cent at work.

Hamza Zaouali, the head of Iris Executives, a recruiter specialising in Emiratisation, said it was not uncommon to hear that Emiratis would not work as hard as non-nationals.

“There is a clear misconception,” Mr Zaouali said. “As a headhunting firm specialising in Emiratisation, we know first hand that this couldn’t be further from the truth.

“It is critical that we look into the environments we are creating and promoting in our organisations whether educational or professional.”

Mr Zaouali said his company seldom struggled to find quality Emirati profiles but asked educational institutions and organisations to think about how to raise the standard for low performers.

“I do not believe that an environment where you can’t ‘lose’ can induce sustainable success and release people’s full potential,” he said.

“If you’re in a school system where you can’t really fail or if you’re in a job where you can’t really be terminated for low performance or attendance, then how can we expect some Emiratis to care enough and develop grit?”

School inspections have begun to identify the number of Emiratis in private schools and their progress. The UAE government has also repeatedly urged locals to apply for jobs in the private sector.

Moneer Moukaddem outlined ways to bridge the gap in his book based on the study It’s Useless. They’re Emirati, to be released this month.

He said that the Government is monitoring attainment of Emirati students and that teachers need to adapt teaching styles.

“I’m not saying we want Emirati students just to get higher grades. I’m saying 10 to 15 years down the line if this problem is ignored it could have drastic implications, especially with Emirati males.

“It is a potential social disaster if you have a big part of the population not educated and not interested in competing in the job market. We need honesty to address these issues.”