Every day in classrooms across the world, young minds are formed. Every day, a good teacher somewhere frees imaginations and moulds lives. Few responsibilities are so great. And too often – in a world riven by unequal access to education, let alone inequality in the quality of learning – the achievements of teachers go unacknowledged.
This week, however, many around the world learnt of Keishia Thorpe, an English teacher in Maryland, US, who helped make university education accessible to low-income, immigrant and refugee pupils. For this honourable work, she has won the 2021 Global Teacher Prize for $1 million.
Education a basic, universal human right, as enshrined in the 1989 UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, as well as the 1951 Refugee Convention. And yet the children taught by Ms Thorpe are among the lucky ones; too few pupils worldwide – particularly those who are refugees – are enrolled in school.
There are 20.7 million refugees just under the care of the UN refugee agency, UNHCR. Of these, 7.9 million are of school age. But their access to education is limited. Nearly half are unable to attend school.
Nearly half of refugee children are unable to attend school
Then there is the blow dealt by the pandemic. Across 40 countries, the gross secondary level enrolment rate for refugees during the 2019-2020 school year stood at only 34 per cent. Covid-19 has been disruptive for all children, but UNHCR emphasises that it could end chances for young refugees of getting an education at all.
Considering these numbers, it is especially important to highlight the commitment of people such as Ms Thorpe. She is an example of how right things can be, and how fortuitous it is to learn from a good teacher, especially at the right time, when one is still young, receptive to guidance and able to get the most out of schooling.
Education and opportunity have no substitutes. When pupils are given a chance and taught well, the effect on the wider community can be empowering. The refugee contingent at the Olympics showed us that despite adversity and desperate loss, human will can achieve greatness.
Editorials from The National
Under Ms Thorpe's teaching, her classes showed a 40 per cent increase in reading abilities. She has guided her charges into a dozen universities, bagging precious scholarships. The effect of such dedication goes beyond helping one pupil or one family; it can lift an entire community and make of young people citizens who wish to give back, to reinforce a cycle of opportunity for others like them.
The importance of education is undeniable for all. But for immigrants and refugee pupils, for whom at some point it may have seemed unlikely, learning can be an affirmation. A good teacher shows how much potential there is in people if they're nurtured well. With formidable guides, the world is better equipped, not just to dignify the lives of refugees, but to also give countless pupils all over the world a better chance at life.
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
MATCH INFO
Confederations Cup Group B
Germany v Chile
Kick-off: Thursday, 10pm (UAE)
Where: Kazan Arena, Kazan
Watch live: Abu Dhabi Sports HD
ICC Awards for 2021
MEN
Cricketer of the Year – Shaheen Afridi (Pakistan)
T20 Cricketer of the Year – Mohammad Rizwan (Pakistan)
ODI Cricketer of the Year – Babar Azam (Pakistan)
Test Cricketer of the Year – Joe Root (England)
WOMEN
Cricketer of the Year – Smriti Mandhana (India)
ODI Cricketer of the Year – Lizelle Lee (South Africa)
T20 Cricketer of the Year – Tammy Beaumont (England)
Results
1. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) 1hr 32mins 03.897sec
2. Max Verstappen (Red Bull-Honda) at 0.745s
3. Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes) 37.383s
4. Lando Norris (McLaren) 46.466s
5.Sergio Perez (Red Bull-Honda) 52.047s
6. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) 59.090s
7. Daniel Ricciardo (McLaren) 1:06.004
8. Carlos Sainz Jr (Ferrari) 1:07.100
9. Yuki Tsunoda (AlphaTauri-Honda) 1:25.692
10. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin-Mercedes) 1:26.713,
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The bio
His favourite book - 1984 by George Orwell
His favourite quote - 'If you think education is expensive, try ignorance' by Derek Bok, Former President of Harvard
Favourite place to travel to - Peloponnese, Southern Greece
Favourite movie - The Last Emperor
Favourite personality from history - Alexander the Great
Role Model - My father, Yiannis Davos
UAE%20ILT20
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