ABU DHABI // Their friends wonder why they do not want to be engineers or lawyers. They are asked how they cope with classes of 30 naughty children. They are asked, "Why you?"
Because, they say, they feel a calling. And because they believe they can make a difference.
"For people who want to be teachers, it's not about the money; it comes from inside," said Abdulrahman Ali al Attas.
Male Emiratis make up just 11.3 per cent of teachers in the emirate's government schools. And that percentage may get smaller before it gets bigger.
Mr al Attas is one of just six male students alongside 200 females in years one and two at the Emirates College of Advanced Education (ECAE) in Abu Dhabi, the only dedicated teacher-training institute in the country. He is studying to be a primary teacher and is in the second year of a four-year programme.
From the weeks spent as student teachers at government schools, the men can already see the advantages for children.
"Children like to follow the male more than the female," said Fahad al Hosani, 21. "The role model at home is the father more than the mother and he controls the children. Children don't concentrate so much on the female teachers. It's easier to discipline for a male."
According to the Abu Dhabi Education Council (Adec), only 486 male Emiratis are teachers in government schools, versus 3,823 females. For expatriate teachers, the trend is reversed. There are 3,764 men and 2,685 women.
The major benefit of having Emirati men in the classroom is a "better understanding of the pupils and local culture", said Ahmed al Busaeedi, 20. He said primary education is "the most important stage" for a child, laying the foundations for the future.
"When I stood in front of the class, I could feel they respected me," he said. "They looked up to me. Even beyond the teaching, if something's bothering them at home or at school, they feel they can trust you and talk to you, tell you their problems."
ECAE has provided training to 600 mostly female Emirati teachers since its establishment in 2007.
Ian Haslam, the vice chancellor at ECAE, said that he suspects school systems all over the world would like to see more men teaching at the primary level.
"Data indicates that 15 per cent seems to be a good target for education systems in knowledge-based economies," he said. "At various times some systems slip to as low as nine per cent and move to as high as 18.
"The first thing the college would like to do is to recruit more male students to its initial teacher-training programme. But more importantly, for the future of teaching and learning, is to be able to recruit as diverse a teaching population as we can."
A subsidiary of Adec, the ECAE is one of the instruments being used to draw Emiratis into teaching.
Students spend 23 hours in the classroom each week and at least three months a year working in the field. Prospective teachers seem to agree that classroom discipline is their biggest challenge, followed by meeting the needs of different levels and abilities in a class of 30 pupils.
"I've really had to learn patience," Mr al Hosani said. "You have to keep the children busy all the time. Otherwise they're standing on tables, throwing things at each other."
Saeed al Ameri said advances in technology have enabled teachers to be more creative; they can use film, music and visual tools such as PowerPoint presentations.
Mr al Hosani said change is needed in government schools, citing old buildings and poor facilities.
The six male students, who are from Abu Dhabi, agree that if training institutions like ECAE existed in other parts of the country, more Emiratis would become teachers.
Mr al Ameri said: "There must be more incentives and opportunities, like there are in the police or the army."
mswan@thenational.ae
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Signs%20of%20%20%20%20%20%20%20heat%20stroke
%3Cul%3E%0A%3Cli%3EThe%20loss%20of%20sodium%20chloride%20in%20our%20sweat%20can%20lead%20to%20confusion%20and%20an%20altered%20mental%20status%20and%20slurred%20speech%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EBody%20temperature%20above%2039%C2%B0C%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EHot%2C%20dry%20and%20red%20or%20damp%20skin%20can%20indicate%20heatstroke%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EA%20faster%20pulse%20than%20usual%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EDizziness%2C%20nausea%20and%20headaches%20are%20also%20signs%20of%20overheating%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EIn%20extreme%20cases%2C%20victims%20can%20lose%20consciousness%20and%20require%20immediate%20medical%20attention%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3C%2Ful%3E%0A
'Skin'
Dir: Guy Nattiv
Starring: Jamie Bell, Danielle McDonald, Bill Camp, Vera Farmiga
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
UAE Falcons
Carly Lewis (captain), Emily Fensome, Kelly Loy, Isabel Affley, Jessica Cronin, Jemma Eley, Jenna Guy, Kate Lewis, Megan Polley, Charlie Preston, Becki Quigley and Sophie Siffre. Deb Jones and Lucia Sdao – coach and assistant coach.
UK-EU trade at a glance
EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years
Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products
Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries
Smoother border management with use of e-gates
Cutting red tape on import and export of food
Porsche Macan T: The Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 265hp from 5,000-6,500rpm
Torque: 400Nm from 1,800-4,500rpm
Transmission: 7-speed dual-clutch auto
Speed: 0-100kph in 6.2sec
Top speed: 232kph
Fuel consumption: 10.7L/100km
On sale: May or June
Price: From Dh259,900
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.
BULKWHIZ PROFILE
Date started: February 2017
Founders: Amira Rashad (CEO), Yusuf Saber (CTO), Mahmoud Sayedahmed (adviser), Reda Bouraoui (adviser)
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: E-commerce
Size: 50 employees
Funding: approximately $6m
Investors: Beco Capital, Enabling Future and Wain in the UAE; China's MSA Capital; 500 Startups; Faith Capital and Savour Ventures in Kuwait
Second ODI
England 322-7 (50 ovs)
India 236 (50 ovs)
England win by 86 runs
Next match: Tuesday, July 17, Headingley
Analysis
Maros Sefcovic is juggling multiple international trade agreement files, but his message was clear when he spoke to The National on Wednesday.
The EU-UAE bilateral trade deal will be finalised soon, he said. It is in everyone’s interests to do so. Both sides want to move quickly and are in alignment. He said the UAE is a very important partner for the EU. It’s full speed ahead - and with some lofty ambitions - on the road to a free trade agreement.
We also talked about US-EU tariffs. He answered that both sides need to talk more and more often, but he is prepared to defend Europe's position and said diplomacy should be a guiding principle through the current moment.
The UAE squad for the Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games
The jiu-jitsu men’s team: Faisal Al Ketbi, Zayed Al Kaabi, Yahia Al Hammadi, Taleb Al Kirbi, Obaid Al Nuaimi, Omar Al Fadhli, Zayed Al Mansoori, Saeed Al Mazroui, Ibrahim Al Hosani, Mohammed Al Qubaisi, Salem Al Suwaidi, Khalfan Belhol, Saood Al Hammadi.
Women’s team: Mouza Al Shamsi, Wadeema Al Yafei, Reem Al Hashmi, Mahra Al Hanaei, Bashayer Al Matrooshi, Hessa Thani, Salwa Al Ali.
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
How%20to%20avoid%20getting%20scammed
%3Cul%3E%0A%3Cli%3ENever%20click%20on%20links%20provided%20via%20app%20or%20SMS%2C%20even%20if%20they%20seem%20to%20come%20from%20authorised%20senders%20at%20first%20glance%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EAlways%20double-check%20the%20authenticity%20of%20websites%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EEnable%20Two-Factor%20Authentication%20(2FA)%20for%20all%20your%20working%20and%20personal%20services%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EOnly%20use%20official%20links%20published%20by%20the%20respective%20entity%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EDouble-check%20the%20web%20addresses%20to%20reduce%20exposure%20to%20fake%20sites%20created%20with%20domain%20names%20containing%20spelling%20errors%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3C%2Ful%3E%0A
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
