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Abu Dhabi gives teachers key role in education reform

The ‘Shaping the Future’ forum was attended by over 1350 school staff – the biggest turnout at the biggest workshop hosted by ADEC.

Abu Dhabi – Educators are key partners in educational reform, this was the loud message imparted by the Abu Dhabi Education Council (ADEC) on Tuesday during a forum aimed at listening from those working on the ground.

The ‘Shaping the Future’ forum, considered the first of its kind to be held by a regulator, was attended by over 1350 school staff – the biggest turnout at the biggest workshop hosted by ADEC.

“This is the first time in educational field that educators were given the freedom to select their own candidate (five representatives from each public school) and choose the topic they want to be engaged in,” said Dr Amal Al Qubaisi, director general of ADEC.

At the forum, she noted the importance of including educators in ADEC’s “transformation step”.

“The primary goal for this initiative is to engage as many schools as possible to come-up with ideas and solutions that can help guide ADEC’s strategy reform efforts. Our educators are in the field… they are the best people to offer feedback and suggestions on the education reform, and can definitely help promote strategy development and project plans in the education system,” she said.

The forum was a result of workshops previously held at schools and in meetings with school leaders who have expressed several concerns and challenges about the education system and their proposed actions.

Based on these workshops and survey carried out by ADEC, key priority areas were identified and shortlisted into 30 topics where participants on Tuesday underwent “brainstorming sessions”.

They include the English and Arabic languages; Science; Islamic and Social Studies; Arts, Music and Sports under curriculum; Cycle 3 restructuring; STEM integration; children with disabilities; gifted and talented; child protection; student behaviour policy; adult education; career advising; early childhood education and care.

On student behaviour policy, Dr Al Qubaisi noted the need to “revisit” the existing policies.

'Due to the feedback that we’re getting we will have to revisit these policies whatever needs to be changed should be changed, whatever needs to be enhanced or need to be added that is something we have to do right away,” she said, adding that a community school will be introduced next week for students with behaviour issue.

On Cycle 3 restructuring, she said that the goal was to put higher emphasis on science, technology and engineering and therefore a plan is being mulled to introduce a one track for Grades 10, 11 and 12 – the science track – starting September 2015.

“We will of course also revisit our new school model so that it will introduce science from KG. It will be an onward process,” she added.

Noting the importance of discussing the key topics side by side, Dr Al Qubaisi said: “We don’t have time to delay… We all should work together. We have the same challenges, we should have the same answers to these challenges,” Dr Al Qubaisi told educators at the forum.

Results of the brainstorming session will be studied, implemented and put into action starting the next academic year.

olivia@khaleejtimes.com