UAE moves to revamp education system

Shaikh Mohammed endorses the 2015-2021 plan of the Ministry of Education, stressing on innovation as a key factor. — Wam

His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has endorsed the 2015-2021 plan of the Ministry of Education, that stresses innovation as a key factor in the coming years.

He also directed speeding up the plan’s implementation, stressing the importance of developing the educational process in the UAE, widening its concept and bringing it on par with modern scientific ideas, thus leading to innovation in the sector to attain the objectives of the national agenda indicators as given in the UAE Vision 2021.

Shaikh Mohammed, while launching the strategy, said: “Thanks to the keen interest shown by the President, His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, in the field of education, the coming years will witness a complete change in the educational system, which would basically be built on innovation and will be aligned with the national strategy of innovation.” He added that the strategy focuses on knowledge integration in science, technology, engineering, mathematics and other fields, all of which contribute towards strengthening the knowledge economy.

“We do care about the future of the Emirati citizens and need to see their educational contributions, which would add to the country’s march towards renaissance, thus making a quantum leap in this sector inevitable,” Shaikh Mohammed said.

“We look forward to acquiring the latest 21st century skills and are preparing a generation of innovators and talented persons through encouraging a national culture that encourages innovation,” he added.

He also pointed out, “I feel happy when I see the Emirati students’ achievements, not only in case of university students or graduates, but also of those in primary stages. We wish that every UAE student becomes a model of innovation and invention for the benefit of the UAE’s people and society.”

Shaikh Mohammed affirmed, “I am directly supervising and following up the educational process, and the government will ensure all kinds of support. Everyone should shoulder his or her responsibilities.”

He also underlined the importance of developing national evaluation tests at par with international standards, preparing unified educational standards in order to move towards collaborative education which is based on innovation and best utilisation of modern technology.

He also urged educators to pay extra attention to talented students at all schools and stages, stressing that educational plans should keep pace with developments in other sectors and must help build a national knowledge-based economy.

Lt. General Shaikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior; Shaikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs; Mohammed Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister for Cabinet Affairs; and Hussain bin Ibrahim Al Hammadi, Minister of Education, were present.