Abu Dhabi/Dubai: Teachers in private and public schools say their salaries are low and must be increased to give a fillip to the quality of education.
A principal and teacher from a leading Indian private school in Abu Dhabi feels that teachers are being less paid in most Indian schools in comparison to other international private schools.
"Most of our experienced teachers receive Dh2,500 per month. Teachers who have joined our school in the past one year however receive even less than that.
He feels that some action should be taken to resolve the issue of low salaries of teachers because it will have a negative impact on their output and subsequently on the quality of education in schools.
"Five years ago teachers were receiving a salary of less than Dh2,000 but since the Ministry of Education issued a circular with regards to not giving any teacher less than Dh2, 000 we try to abide by it," he added.
After one increase in salary throughout her 25 dedicated years as a geography teacher in a government school, a 45-year-old Bahraini still receives a salary of Dh 5,000. "I have children studying abroad and with this salary it is almost impossible to make both ends meet," she said.
A 36-year-old Emirati teacher A.Z, who teaches Islamic studies, science, mathematics and Arabic language in a government school, also complained about the lack of consideration and poor salary conditions for Emirati teachers across the UAE.
"None of my younger siblings have graduated from university. I am the only one who graduated from Emirates University and have been working since I was 25 years old. Yet because I chose teaching as a profession, ironically, I am the least paid among my sisters and brothers," said A.Z.
In her former teaching position, S.A who works for an Indian school, received less then Dh2,000 a month which she recently discovered is below the minimum wage set for teachers by the Ministry of Education.
S.A. now works for another Indian private school on a salary of Dh2,500 saying, "Sadly, nowadays teaching is becoming a humiliating job. Almost every other profession will provide you with better salaries that are at least on par with the rise in living standards. Dubai is facing a shortage of teachers, they [schools and authorities] must understand that graduates are no longer interested in this profession because it is not financially rewarding."
An official from the Abu Dhabi Education Zone who wished to be unnamed admitted that a salary of Dh2,000 is way too low. "There are some private schools whose fees are very low and they cannot afford to pay their teachers more than Dh2,000. There is nothing we can do about that," said the official.
Abdullah Mesabih, Executive Director at the Ministry of Education, refrained from expressing his opinion about the minimum wage set for teachers but said, "The ministry is studying the matter and will consider overhauling the entire education sector by law including teacher's salaries."
How do you think low salaries influence the quality of education at schools? Are low salaries responsible for discouraging the youth from considering teaching as a viable career option?
By Dina El Shammaa and Siham Al Najami, Staff Reporters