MILLION REASONS TO CELEBRATE: UAE TEACHER IS BEST IN REGION
▶ Rashed Ali Hashem won Dh1m prize after providing funding for 12 labs at his Abu Dhabi school
An inspiring UAE teacher who spent Dh300,000 of his own money to provide top quality facilities for learners won a Dh1 million award for his dedication to his profession.
Rashed Ali Hashem dug deep to help set up 12 high-tech teaching laboratories and a museum for pupils at Al Moatasem public school for boys in Baniyas, Abu Dhabi.
The labs not only focus on academic achievement but also work to encourage healthy bodies as well as minds by incorporating physical activity.
Dr Hashem has now been honoured for his efforts after being crowned a winner in the Mohamed bin Zayed award for the best teacher in the GCC.
The prestigious awards attracted more than 1,000 entries, the bulk of which came from the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
Dr Hashem was eager to show that sport can help with the well-being of pupils, and is far more than just an extracurricular activity.
“It is scientifically proven that sports not only help in your well-being but also in your educational development,” he said.
At one of his labs, which pupils visit for 15 minutes or more a day, schoolchildren pedal on a bike to create electricity.
At another lab for students who suffer from hyperactivity, Dr Hashem uploaded the entire curriculum on computer devices stationed in front of treadmills so they can walk and learn.
At another called the “smart carpet lab”, the curriculum is uploaded on a projector that hangs from the ceiling.
Dr Hashem has brought in all the equipment from abroad, using his own money.
His work has been rewarded with results, as pupils are performing better since the labs were introduced.
The museum tells the stories of schoolchildren with special needs.
“I think it is important for students to understand the difficulties that they face as well as their achievements,” the father of four said.
He has vowed to give half of his money to charity, with the rest being invested in a project he is thinking of launching.
The teaching prize was also awarded to Fawziah Allmujamsi, who teaches at a girls school in Saudi Arabia, after she found a formula to help children fall in love with mathematics.
“If you love it, it will love you and you will discover that your whole life revolves around maths,” she said.
“Your footsteps are mathematics. Your food is mathematics and everything. Mathematics is a way of life. Without mathematics you cannot study physics, biology, chemistry or any subject.”
Ms Allmujamsi has made numerous contributions in her field, most notably translating mathematics books into Arabic and running programmes explaining the subject.
“I never considered my job to end in the classroom. I have always tried to teach and mentor students outside the classroom and have encouraged them to look for answers rather than just giving it to them,” she said
“Yes, maths is a dense subject but once you understand the basics, then it is all simple.”
Ms Allmujamsi’s Twitter account is flooded with positive messages from former pupils.
“My proudest moments are when I read messages from my students telling me they have become doctors or mathematics professors because I inspired them. Nothing makes me happier,” she said.
Dr Hamad Al Darmaki, secretary general of the MBZ Award for the Best GCC teachers, said the winners were chosen for meeting criteria such as outstanding performance, creativity and leadership.
“I think the importance of such an award is to encourage teachers to make further contributions that not only align themselves with the UAE’s vision but with the needs of the world. Such competitions will encourage research, innovations and excellence,” he said.
“We want to show teachers that we appreciate them. The government and the leadership is indebted to them. They are the cornerstone for the development of any nation.”
It is important for students to understand the difficulties that pupils with special needs face as well as their successes RASHED ALI HASHEM Teacher