Current training of teachers inadequate

The new school model (NSM), which was implemented by the Abu Dhabi Education Council (Adec) in 2010-2011 starting with the primary grades, has made “increasing demands upon teachers” and opened positions that are not part of the current preparation programme.

Participants at the meeting of deans, education department heads and faculty of education institutions in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday. -KT photo by Nezar Balout

“We recognise there has been a disconnect in terms of preparation programme of school needs, skill sets, competencies. The understanding and the abilities of our teachers are changing and preparation for them must change,” said Dr Vincent Ferrandino, P-12 executive director at the Adec.

“The qualifications of the Adec for its teachers now have changed significantly. We are requiring (a) higher set of competencies from our teachers, a capacity that works students in a more active manner, to focus on the use of multiple resources as they’re working with students. The preparation programmes in the past had not focused on some of those areas and so we want to ensure that the preparation programme at the higher education level will prepare students appropriately and effectively for the new role we’re asking them to take on,” he added.

During a meeting on Tuesday with deans, education department heads and faculty of education institutions in the emirate, officials at the Adec outlined their requirements according to the new school model.

These include classroom-based teachers for KG and Cycle 1 (Grades 1-5) who can teach many subjects, and specialist teachers for each subject for Cycle 2 (Grades 6-9) and 3 (Grades 10-12).

“I know this is a different approach than what has been typically the approach in preparation of teachers in your institutions. We just have to make sure that we line up accordingly,” Dr Ferrandino told attendees.

New positions

As part of the NSM, a number of new positions were created, “for which there has been no preparation programme currently in the UAE”.

These include the new Health and Physical Education (HPE) subject, which currently has zero applicant, according to Dr Karima Mazroui, curriculum manager at the Adec.

The council is also introducing academic and career counselling in its Cycle 2 schools and will be hiring over 60 classroom assistants to help with the over 5,000 students with different types of special learning needs.

“We have limited number of specialised experience support staff specially in special education... we need to work with higher education to understand what sort of tools we can equip our graduates with to be able to make effective decision for the learner in the classrooms,” said Adam Hughes, special education adviser at the council.

The Adec has also urged education deans to develop programmes for subject teachers for Cycles 2 and 3 or Diploma of Art and Science, and to open new specialities for Arabic and English-medium teachers, HPE, Music, Art, Social Studies and e-learning facilitators.

“We know that it takes time for the pipeline to be developed; obviously the preparation programme is a four-year programme. None exists now. Our expectation is that over a period of time, we’re going to begin to see students commit to it,” noted Dr Ferrandino.

Dr Mohamed Saeed Hasab El Naby, dean of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at Al Hosn University, said that there are currently over 180 teacher students taking up specialisation in Arabic and Islamic Studies at the university and said he would consider opening new programmes for HPE and Arts, if there is an uptake for them.

Dr Prof Mohammed Yousuf Baniyas, Vice-Chancellor of the Emirates College for Advanced Education (ECAE), said he now plans to introduce HPE and special needs support programme in future. At present, the ECAE offers teaching programmes in Cycle 1 and soon Cycles 2 and 3, as required by the Adec.

“We have to get the young generation of Emirati educated, prepare them in school in the right manner, to choose the areas when they join the universities and help the country become sustainable and self-sufficient. It sets standards in what is needed in teachers.” -olivia@khaleejtimes.com