ABU DHABI — The development of the education sector is a priority within the national identity initiative because education is the main factor affecting the development achievements, said Minister of Education Dr. Hanif Hassan Ali while addressing the second session of the National Identity Conference yesterday.
Hassan said, "The Ministry of Education has re-evaluated the educational system in the country and has re-infused the elements of tradition and culture in our curricula to keep up with the overwhelming changes happening around us. This educational system was modified to make it updated and modernised so that we can face any challenges in the future."
He said, "It is important to note that we seek the development of tutors and teachers and raise the standards. To become a teacher, for instance, a tutoring licence is now mandatory."
He said the educational system faces the following challenges:
Centralisation and bureaucratic administration;
Overlapping specialties and less production;
Decrease in school levels;
Old curricula and the overdependence on learning by heart instead of understanding;
No career development for teachers;
Fewer school days and more holidays compared to the rest of the world; and
High increase in school dropout rates, especially among high school boys.
The ministry is keen on a smooth transition of the educational system to a higher level and better ranks, Dr Hassan said.
By Anwar Ahmad (Our staff reporter)