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Equivalence certificate norm for teachers may be lifted

ABU DHABI — In what could come as a boon to Indian teachers in the UAE, the Foreign Private Schools Department at the Ministry of Education is mulling over the possibility of doing away with the equivalency norm for teachers' certificates, and instead, stick to the teaching qualifications stipulated by the countries that issue the certificates.

According to Ministry sources, discussions are on with the Ministry of Higher Education, which issues the equivalency certificate for teachers.

If implemented, teachers need not seek UAE equivalency for their certificates. But to be licensed to teach in any foreign curriculum in the UAE, their qualifications should match the requirements set by the motherboard that implements the same system in their home country.

And the ministry will coordinate with the academic councils of foreign boards and maintain a reference data of various teaching licences and exams that they follow.

The move is to streamline the recruitment of teachers and ensure quality standards in teaching, no matter what curriculum is being followed. It is also aimed at preventing some foreign private schools from interpreting the bylaws to suit their convenience and hire less qualified teachers.