Teachers in Ras al Khaimah are taking lessons in computing in the hope that it will have a trickle-down effect on pupils and expand the use of information technology in schools.
Twenty-six teachers, from public and private schools, who applied for scholarships to take part have just finished the first three-month course. A second round of courses will begin in the autumn.
The training was organised by the Sheikh Saud bin Saqr al Qasimi Foundation for Policy Research, a think tank founded in 2009, which focuses on education.
Attendance on the weekend course was voluntary and homework assignments were given out. Topics included the educational potential of the internet and hands-on training in technology.
Anna Batchelder, the chief executive and founder of Bon Education, a Dubai-based company that ran the courses for the foundation, said: "There were some teachers who started the programme who didn't really know how to type much. But everyone shared an interest in technology and everyone was quite motivated."
Dr Natasha Ridge, the executive director of the foundation and a research fellow at the Dubai School of Government, said access to technology was one of the main challenges teachers faced, particularly in the Northern Emirates, said
"Really basic things, like having access to the internet all the time, are an issue in public schools," she said. "Some schools have problems paying internet bills, so the internet is not working all the time."
The average annual budget for a public school is Dh100,000. That covers everything from internet connection to school supplies, but does not include teachers' salaries.
More than 30 per cent of participants questioned in a survey of 150 teachers and face-to-face groups with teachers and principals said their school had "inconsistent or no internet access", Bon Education reported.
In November 2008, the Ministry of Education and Etisalat pledged to hook up every public school to high-speed internet connections. A schedule was never announced.
Ms Batchelder said "A common challenge that we hear among teachers and principals is a lack of internet connectivity."
Isam Hasan Abdul Rahman, a science teacher who took part in the training, said public school pupils were not graduating with adequate skills in information and communications technology. "Teachers especially from the public schools need more technology training," he added.
Bon Education has set up a website, the Ras al Khaimah Teacher's Network, through which teachers can swap resources.
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List of alleged parties
May 12, 2020: PM and his wife Carrie attend 'work meeting' with at least 17 staff
May 20, 2020: They attend 'bring your own booze party'
Nov 27, 2020: PM gives speech at leaving party for his staff
Dec 10, 2020: Staff party held by then-education secretary Gavin Williamson
Dec 13, 2020: PM and his wife throw a party
Dec 14, 2020: London mayoral candidate Shaun Bailey holds staff event at Conservative Party headquarters
Dec 15, 2020: PM takes part in a staff quiz
Dec 18, 2020: Downing Street Christmas party
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
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
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
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- The UAE government announced a retirement savings plan for private and free zone sector employees in 2023.
- Dubai’s savings retirement scheme for foreign employees working in the emirate’s government and public sector came into effect in 2022.
- National Bonds unveiled a Golden Pension Scheme in 2022 to help private-sector foreign employees with their financial planning.
- In April 2021, Hayah Insurance unveiled a workplace savings plan to help UAE employees save for their retirement.
- Lunate, an Abu Dhabi-based investment manager, has launched a fund that will allow UAE private companies to offer employees investment returns on end-of-service benefits.
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Transmission: six-speed and 10-speed
Power: 271 and 409 horsepower
Torque: 385 and 650Nm
Price: from Dh229,900 to Dh355,000
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What you as a drone operator need to know
A permit and licence is required to fly a drone legally in Dubai.
Sanad Academy is the United Arab Emirate’s first RPA (Remotely Piloted Aircraft) training and certification specialists endorsed by the Dubai Civil Aviation authority.
It is responsible to train, test and certify drone operators and drones in UAE with DCAA Endorsement.
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“We can show how the aircraft work and how they are operated. They are relatively easy to use, but they need responsible pilots.
“Pilots have to be mature. They are given a map of where they can and can’t fly in the UAE and we make these points clear in the lectures we give.
“You cannot fly a drone without registration under any circumstances.”
Larger drones are harder to fly, and have a different response to location control. There are no brakes in the air, so the larger drones have more power.
The Sanad Academy has a designated area to fly off the Al Ain Road near Skydive Dubai to show pilots how to fly responsibly.
“As UAS technology becomes mainstream, it is important to build wider awareness on how to integrate it into commerce and our personal lives,” said Major General Abdulla Khalifa Al Marri, Commander-in-Chief, Dubai Police.
“Operators must undergo proper training and certification to ensure safety and compliance.
“Dubai’s airspace will undoubtedly experience increased traffic as UAS innovations become commonplace, the Forum allows commercial users to learn of best practice applications to implement UAS safely and legally, while benefitting a whole range of industries.”
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
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- Fly it within visual line of sight
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- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
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The UAE overhauled the procedure to recruit housemaids and domestic workers with a law in 2017 to protect low-income labour from being exploited.
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Madrid Open schedule
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TEST SQUADS
Bangladesh: Mushfiqur Rahim (captain), Tamim Iqbal, Soumya Sarkar, Imrul Kayes, Liton Das, Shakib Al Hasan, Mominul Haque, Nasir Hossain, Sabbir Rahman, Mehedi Hasan, Shafiul Islam, Taijul Islam, Mustafizur Rahman and Taskin Ahmed.
Australia: Steve Smith (captain), David Warner, Ashton Agar, Hilton Cartwright, Pat Cummins, Peter Handscomb, Matthew Wade, Josh Hazlewood, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Glenn Maxwell, Matt Renshaw, Mitchell Swepson and Jackson Bird.