While there exist different schools of thought on economic development, one area of near unanimous agreement is the importance of improving the education of the labour force.
The Arabian Gulf countries have all designated this as a central component of their economic visions and significant reforms have been enacted during the past 10 years, many of which focus on enhancing school and teacher accountability. But is there a risk that such policies might backfire?
Educational reform experts and economists have been espousing the role of accountability in enhancing educational outcomes for decades. Under the traditional public schooling system, principals and educators receive salaries unrelated to performance and have contracts that are virtually guaranteed. Such an arrangement gives both types of workers zero material incentive to deliver a good service and students will, in principle, have to rely on educational workers’ intrinsic motivations to perform well on the job.
The goal of accountability reforms is to create a clear link between performance and earnings, including job security, thereby accentuating the incentive to deliver a good service. This proposal stems from the plethora of alternative work domains where performance pay of some sort is successfully deployed as a productivity-enhancing technique: salespeople; doctors; actors, repairmen; waiters; and architects all face financial penalties for bad performance and reap financial benefits when their performance is good. Extending the system to teachers and management in schools is a logical next step.
In the Gulf countries, one manifestation has been the establishment of independent, quality-assurance regulators. For example, in Bahrain, private schools that earn a good score from the Education and Training Quality Authority are allowed to raise their tuition fees at a higher rate than those with average performance.
Theoretically, such efforts, if applied narrowly, can potentially backfire due to their impact on the supply of workers in the educational sector. In particular, accountability creates stress, which can adversely affect a worker’s job satisfaction. If wages do not rise to compensate for the added stress of being monitored and graded, then the result of higher accountability might be higher worker turnover and lower-quality entrants into the field, as prospective and current teachers seek less stressful alternatives. Thus, while the performance of those who remain is likely to improve in response to the changing incentives, the quality of those who remain might deteriorate, and if this latter effect is stronger then the result of accountability reforms will be worse outcomes.
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Read more:
Economics 101: Is energy-efficient housing a waste of money?
Economics 101: How should Arabian Gulf countries regulate privatised industries?
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Further, there is the possibility of getting stuck in vicious circles, whereby a school that performs badly loses its best staff, and can’t attract the staff necessary to improve, while elite teachers immovably congregate in elite schools.
In a paper titled "How does school accountability affect teachers?", forthcoming in the Journal of Human Resources, University of Chicago (US) professor Rebecca Dizon-Ross investigated these possibilities using data from New York City. Legislation such as the No Child Left Behind Act has contributed to reforms designed to increase accountability based on the transparent evaluation of schools. Interestingly, she found mixed results: in weaker schools, receiving an initially bad grade subsequently resulted in higher performance, which Prof Dizon-Ross attributed to the principals exerting higher effort in the pursuit of superior outcomes. In the better schools, in contrast, she found the reverse result: performing badly led to a subsequent deterioration in quality, as the schools struggled to attract good teachers.
New York City is not the Gulf, so it is not immediately clear if we should expect analogous results in Gulf schools. However, these findings do raise an important point that policymakers should keep in mind when they formulate educational reforms: changing the rules affects behaviour, but it also affects the pool of talent entering the industry; consequently, pre-emptive studies need to account for both channels when making policy recommendations.
For example, the privatisation programme of Saudi Arabia’s vision 2030 seeks to expand the private sector’s role in education as a way of enhancing accountability. The New York City experience suggests that such reforms may need to be accompanied by improvements in the financial compensation associated with teaching. Around 50 years ago, when the Gulf countries’ educational systems were still very young, society looked favourably upon the teaching profession and afforded teachers high status, which is an important consideration for prospective talent. This channel was reinforced by the limited job opportunities for women, which helped ensure that elite female members of the workforce were attracted to teaching.
Today, after socio-economic reforms, women have much greater opportunities to secure high-paying positions such as CEOs and senior civil servants, rendering teaching relatively unattractive. Societal views have adapted as a result and, today, being a teacher has much lower status than it used to have. Consequently, the pool of talent interested in teaching and managing in educational establishments is arguably of lower quality than before.
Higher compensation, along with more stringent hiring criteria, might reverse this trend, especially if it is complemented by cultural reforms designed to rehabilitate the social status of teachers.
Omar Al-Ubaydli (@omareconomics) is a researcher at Derasat, Bahrain.
Company%20profile
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Company%20Profile
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Business Insights
- Canada and Mexico are significant energy suppliers to the US, providing the majority of oil and natural gas imports
- The introduction of tariffs could hinder the US's clean energy initiatives by raising input costs for materials like nickel
- US domestic suppliers might benefit from higher prices, but overall oil consumption is expected to decrease due to elevated costs
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Starting price: Dh79,000
On sale: Now
FROM%20THE%20ASHES
%3Cp%3EDirector%3A%20Khalid%20Fahad%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EStarring%3A%20Shaima%20Al%20Tayeb%2C%20Wafa%20Muhamad%2C%20Hamss%20Bandar%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ERating%3A%203%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Business Insights
- As per the document, there are six filing options, including choosing to report on a realisation basis and transitional rules for pre-tax period gains or losses.
- SMEs with revenue below Dh3 million per annum can opt for transitional relief until 2026, treating them as having no taxable income.
- Larger entities have specific provisions for asset and liability movements, business restructuring, and handling foreign permanent establishments.
Wicked
Director: Jon M Chu
Stars: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey
Other acts on the Jazz Garden bill
Sharrie Williams
The American singer is hugely respected in blues circles due to her passionate vocals and songwriting. Born and raised in Michigan, Williams began recording and touring as a teenage gospel singer. Her career took off with the blues band The Wiseguys. Such was the acclaim of their live shows that they toured throughout Europe and in Africa. As a solo artist, Williams has also collaborated with the likes of the late Dizzy Gillespie, Van Morrison and Mavis Staples.
Lin Rountree
An accomplished smooth jazz artist who blends his chilled approach with R‘n’B. Trained at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, DC, Rountree formed his own band in 2004. He has also recorded with the likes of Kem, Dwele and Conya Doss. He comes to Dubai on the back of his new single Pass The Groove, from his forthcoming 2018 album Stronger Still, which may follow his five previous solo albums in cracking the top 10 of the US jazz charts.
Anita Williams
Dubai-based singer Anita Williams will open the night with a set of covers and swing, jazz and blues standards that made her an in-demand singer across the emirate. The Irish singer has been performing in Dubai since 2008 at venues such as MusicHall and Voda Bar. Her Jazz Garden appearance is career highlight as she will use the event to perform the original song Big Blue Eyes, the single from her debut solo album, due for release soon.
The Penguin
Starring: Colin Farrell, Cristin Milioti, Rhenzy Feliz
Creator: Lauren LeFranc
Rating: 4/5
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.
When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.
How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
THE SPECS
Engine: 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V12 petrol engine
Power: 420kW
Torque: 780Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh1,350,000
On sale: Available for preorder now
Monster Hunter: World
Capcom
PlayStation 4, Xbox One
The Beach Bum
Director: Harmony Korine
Stars: Matthew McConaughey, Isla Fisher, Snoop Dogg
Two stars
Citadel: Honey Bunny first episode
Directors: Raj & DK
Stars: Varun Dhawan, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Kashvi Majmundar, Kay Kay Menon
Rating: 4/5
Disclaimer
Director: Alfonso Cuaron
Stars: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Kline, Lesley Manville
Rating: 4/5
Film: Raid
Dir: Rajkumar Gupta
Starring: Ajay Devgn, Ileana D'cruz and Saurabh Shukla
Verdict: Three stars
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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The specs
Engine: 2-litre or 3-litre 4Motion all-wheel-drive Power: 250Nm (2-litre); 340 (3-litre) Torque: 450Nm Transmission: 8-speed automatic Starting price: From Dh212,000 On sale: Now
RESULTS
West Asia Premiership
Thursday
Jebel Ali Dragons 13-34 Dubai Exiles
Friday
Dubai Knights Eagles 16-27 Dubai Tigers
Mission%3A%20Impossible%20-%20Dead%20Reckoning%20Part%20One
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Your rights as an employee
The government has taken an increasingly tough line against companies that fail to pay employees on time. Three years ago, the Cabinet passed a decree allowing the government to halt the granting of work permits to companies with wage backlogs.
The new measures passed by the Cabinet in 2016 were an update to the Wage Protection System, which is in place to track whether a company pays its employees on time or not.
If wages are 10 days late, the new measures kick in and the company is alerted it is in breach of labour rules. If wages remain unpaid for a total of 16 days, the authorities can cancel work permits, effectively shutting off operations. Fines of up to Dh5,000 per unpaid employee follow after 60 days.
Despite those measures, late payments remain an issue, particularly in the construction sector. Smaller contractors, such as electrical, plumbing and fit-out businesses, often blame the bigger companies that hire them for wages being late.
The authorities have urged employees to report their companies at the labour ministry or Tawafuq service centres — there are 15 in Abu Dhabi.
'Of Love & War'
Lynsey Addario, Penguin Press
THE BIO
Bio Box
Role Model: Sheikh Zayed, God bless his soul
Favorite book: Zayed Biography of the leader
Favorite quote: To be or not to be, that is the question, from William Shakespeare's Hamlet
Favorite food: seafood
Favorite place to travel: Lebanon
Favorite movie: Braveheart
Healthy tips to remember
Here, Dr Mohamed El Abiary, paediatric consultant at Al Zahra Hospital Dubai, shares some advice for parents whose children are fasting during the holy month of Ramadan:
Gradual fasting and golden points - For children under the age of 10, follow a step-by-step approach to fasting and don't push them beyond their limits. Start with a few hours fasting a day and increase it to a half fast and full fast when the child is ready. Every individual's ability varies as per the age and personal readiness. You could introduce a points system that awards the child and offers them encouragement when they make progress with the amount of hours they fast
Why fast? - Explain to your child why they are fasting. By shedding light on the importance of abstaining from food and drink, children may feel more encouraged to give it there all during the observance period. It is also a good opportunity to teach children about controlling urges, doing good for others and instilling healthy food habits
Sleep and suhoor - A child needs adequate sleep every night - at least eight hours. Make sure to set a routine early bedtime so he/she has sufficient time to wake up for suhoor, which is an essential meal at the beginning of the day
Good diet - Nutritious food is crucial to ensuring a healthy Ramadan for children. They must refrain from eating too much junk food as well as canned goods and snacks and drinks high in sugar. Foods that are rich in nutrients, vitamins and proteins, like fruits, fresh meats and vegetables, make for a good balanced diet
KINGDOM%20OF%20THE%20PLANET%20OF%20THE%20APES
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MATCH INFO
Manchester United 1 (Rashford 36')
Liverpool 1 (Lallana 84')
Man of the match: Marcus Rashford (Manchester United)
Company%20Profile
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The%20specs
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6 UNDERGROUND
Director: Michael Bay
Stars: Ryan Reynolds, Adria Arjona, Dave Franco
2.5 / 5 stars
Honeymoonish
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Celta Vigo 2
Castro (45'), Aspas (82')
Barcelona 2
Dembele (36'), Alcacer (64')
Red card: Sergi Roberto (Barcelona)
Cry Macho
Director: Clint Eastwood
Stars: Clint Eastwood, Dwight Yoakam
Rating:**
COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
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Company%20Profile
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Electoral College Victory
Trump has so far secured 295 Electoral College votes, according to the Associated Press, exceeding the 270 needed to win. Only Nevada and Arizona remain to be called, and both swing states are leaning Republican. Trump swept all five remaining swing states, North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, sealing his path to victory and giving him a strong mandate.
Popular Vote Tally
The count is ongoing, but Trump currently leads with nearly 51 per cent of the popular vote to Harris’s 47.6 per cent. Trump has over 72.2 million votes, while Harris trails with approximately 67.4 million.
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
How to join and use Abu Dhabi’s public libraries
• There are six libraries in Abu Dhabi emirate run by the Department of Culture and Tourism, including one in Al Ain and Al Dhafra.
• Libraries are free to visit and visitors can consult books, use online resources and study there. Most are open from 8am to 8pm on weekdays, closed on Fridays and have variable hours on Saturdays, except for Qasr Al Watan which is open from 10am to 8pm every day.
• In order to borrow books, visitors must join the service by providing a passport photograph, Emirates ID and a refundable deposit of Dh400. Members can borrow five books for three weeks, all of which are renewable up to two times online.
• If users do not wish to pay the fee, they can still use the library’s electronic resources for free by simply registering on the website. Once registered, a username and password is provided, allowing remote access.
• For more information visit the library network's website.
