UAE- 'Beat challenges secure bright future for students'

(MENAFN- Khaleej Times)Dr Amal Abdullah Juma Al Qubaisi director-general Abu Dhabi Education Council (Adec) has urged private schools in the UAE's capital to overcome challenges to secure a brighter future for young students who she believes are the future leaders of the nation in the field of knowledge.

The call came during the private schools annual forum held at Jumeirah Etihad Towers in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday morning. Dr Al Qubaisi along with Adec officials school principals and senior staff spoke about the measures being taken to realise the vision they hope to achieve for Abu Dhabi 2020 especially in terms of providing world-class education for students in the capital. Prior to discussing the current and future outlook of education Dr Al Qubaisi who was also the first woman to be elected member of the UAE Federal National Council in 2006 paid a heart-warming tribute to the UAE's martyrs. "We are one heart and we are one hand" she said."

She shared inside information about the educational system over the years and advised schools that the time is ripe to focus on overcoming challenges.

"We have a number of challenges this includes lack of social interactions at the right levels creating reliable programmes that aid gifted students supporting children with special needs focusing on kindergartens because they are the first step to education as well as career counseling."

Highlighting why focusing on careers from an early stage is crucial she said: "It makes me sad that some children don't know what career they wish to adopt" she said adding that "sometimes we have students who are excellent in science but they want a career in literature therefore we must focus on career counseling."

Hamad Ali Al Dhaheri executive-director of Adec Private Schools Quality Assurance Sector also highlighted the key elements and challenges which schools must overcome.

He pointed out that despite the fact that many schools have made improvements during inspections there still needs to be a focus on creating a more dynamic improvement in education with science again being a focal point.

Science is a key component Al Qubais said and felt many schools are currently lacking in the field causing children to lag.

"Above these aspects we are focusing firstly on the safety and the security of our students" Al Dhaheri added.