Abu Dhabi parents get a chance to join children in classroom

Abu Dhabi - Abu Dhabi Education Council calls for joint effort from parents, teachers and students.

For the first time in the history of school education system in the country, parents are getting a chance to join children in the classrooms. They are also urged to give due respect to teachers, if they are trying to figure out reasons for their children's deteriorating standards.
Bringing an innovation to improve quality of education in the emirate, Abu Dhabi Education Council (Adec), has called for a joint effort from parents, teachers and students.
Addressing a group of teachers and education professionals, Dr Amal Al Qubaisi, Director-General of Abu Dhabi Education Council (Adec), stressed on Monday that much is left to be done to bring the education system at par with developed nations.
Improvements have already been achieved during the last academic year, particularly in setting up research, innovation and science centres in schools, as well as short and long term goals and strategies. However, the standards of students are declining, at below average level.
"Perhaps our biggest challenge is the performance of our students, which is below the level of expectations," said Al Qubaisi.
The grades are generally low, especially in Mathematics and science subjects.
Al Qubaisi said: "Since 2012, the results in science showed an increasing gap between lower and higher grades in high school, and in Abu Dhabi they were below average."
Another challenge that awaits in the coming year is the need to change the culture of parent-teacher relationship.
Teachers of all levels, from KG to university, needed to be appreciated by parents and students alike, to put the education system on track.
"The lack of parents' participation in their children's education and the status of the teacher, who is not being respected, are also reasons for students' failure," stressed Al Qubaisi. Therefore, from this academic year, parents are also required to take part actively in their children's education by coming to school, joining their children in the classrooms and even in the labs.
"There are also world challenges. It is not enough to develop, we have to develop at the same pace as others. There are countries with more advanced education than us, and we need to bridge this gap," she said.
To do so, teachers are required to drop the traditional style of "raw" teaching and employ modern and interactive methods such as interaction with students and developing critical thinking, discussing various issues and exchanging ideas with students in the classroom.
Another focus for the 2015-2016 academic year are the special needs and talented students, both needing more integration into government, public and private schools.
Literature is also being made a priority for the coming year, Al Qubaisi said, stressing that books are not only essential for general knowledge, but they are part of the national identity.
"Our objective is not only to provide knowledge, but mental and physical health as well," she added.
To meet this purpose, Adec has introduced sports in schools, for both boys and girls.
"Sport builds heroes of tomorrow. It builds character and improves student behaviour in the classroom and his or her's learning capacity," pointed out Al Qubaisi.
This past academic year, 84,000 pupils took part in school sport competitions, and Adec hopes that even more will do so in the coming year.
Emiratisation remains a priority for Adec, the programme proving successful with 1,910 Emiratis taking up teaching jobs in Abu Dhabi, 55 per cent more than the previous academic year.
silvia@khaleejtimes.com

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