Muscat - Various education experts from the Middle East and North Africa discussed important issues such as the role of education, current status of teachers and education reform during the 4th Meeting of the Ministers of Education in the Middle East '&' North Africa Region that is currently held in Muscat, Oman.
The experts highlighted in their sessions the importance of providing teachers with training and professional development programs as well as their current financial status. They also emphasized the necessity of developing the education system, curriculums, schools' buildings and modern technology.
Dr Hanif Hassan, UAE Education Minister, referred during the meeting to the Ministry's plans, which centre on the teacher's vital role, not only in conveying knowledge, but also in becoming a facilitator and producer of that knowledge.
Furthermore, Dr. Abdallah Al Amiri, Advisor to the Minister, who attended the meetings, indicated that the research papers of the meeting reviewed the ways and methods of developing teachers' with training programs and their performances as well as the appointment of qualified and trained teachers.
Dr. Al Amiri added that teachers' incentives occupied a great part of the discussions during the meetings. A paper titled "Teachers' Benefits and Incentives" stressed on financing and supporting education, the current status of education and teachers, impact of economy on teachers' salaries, finance and human resource systems, professional development programs and ways of improving the standards of students in the region.
Dr. Ansaf Abdo Kassem, Chief of Education Research Department in the Center of Education Research '&' Development Center in Yemen, said: "The current education policies have the biggest impact on teachers' financial status. Unfortunately, the current promotional system and professional training programs are not clear and definite and do not encourage teachers to the profession itself. In addition, the education policies put teachers in one level and standard without taking into consideration the differences of their creativity and innovation".
Dr. Ansaf called members of the meeting to provide teachers with financial incentives for those teachers who prove their efficiency and training programs and social benefits for those who prove their proficiency and efficiency such as "senior teachers, chief or supervisors".
Page last updated 01 January 2020