Andre Plessis

Ministry of Education – UAE

Recognizing a constant need for progress, the UAE has sought to implement and monitor high quality education standards by undertaking new policies, programs and initiatives. Throughout the Middle East, educational advancement is often impeded by insufficient focus on the English language, inadequate provision of technology as well as modern techniques of instruction and methodology. Stressing the importance of "modern curricula with assorted and non-monotonous means of training and evaluation", the Emirates launched ambitious campaigns to develop each of these areas. At its foundation, lies the necessary funding, which in 2010 was earmarked at 7.5 billion Dirhams, as well as increased teacher training. Through its Teachers of the 21st Century and a two hundred million dirham share of this budget, the UAE hopes to train 10,000 public school teachers within the next five years, while also pursuing its scheduled goal of reaching 90% Emiratisation of its staff by 2021.