The country needs more Emirati teachers, and more male Emirati teachers in particular.
Official figures published in The National yesterday show that of the 12,417 Emiratis who teach in state schools, a mere 4 per cent - fewer than 500 - are male.
The UAE is not alone in this. In many countries teaching, especially at the secondary level, used to be a male preserve, but in recent decades men have left the classroom and women have replaced them. Certainly nobody begrudges these posts to women, but in practice teachers do more than teach the curriculum. They also serve, or can serve, as role models, setting an example of good work habits, proper comportment, fairness and intellectual curiosity.
This is, to be sure, an ideal, but it is often a reality too: many adults fondly recall teachers who provided just such a character model.
But, to state the obvious, half of students are males, and boys will naturally respond better to male role models than to female ones. Similarly, Emirati teachers are the obvious models for Emirati students.
But while the problem is evident, the solution is not. Survey data reported in The National suggest that all teachers find classroom work dispiriting and too poorly paid. There is also the question of status.
The remedies are three, each one easier to apply than the next. More money for teachers would help. The second step involves assuring teachers of more authority in their classrooms, and this must involve school administrators and parents. Male or female, a teacher who doesn't get the proper support to maintain order and discipline in the classroom will not be able to teach, let alone be anyone's role model.
Finally, teaching has to be validated as a career choice. In theory, people respect teachers and the vital work they do to shape the next generation. But in practice, even the best teachers can find themselves subtly or not so subtly disdained by acquaintances whose jobs give them prestigious titles and fancy offices. Reversing this status deficit will not be easy or quick. Honours awarded annually to the year's best teachers, bestowed in the full spotlight of official approval and carrying a generous cheque, would help. Prominent business leaders and entertainment celebrities could be asked to identify the teachers who helped them. And so on.
These measures are only a start; the problem demands much more. But we must start somewhere and give more than lip service to the idea that teachers really matter.
The more serious side of specialty coffee
While the taste of beans and freshness of roast is paramount to the specialty coffee scene, so is sustainability and workers’ rights.
The bulk of genuine specialty coffee companies aim to improve on these elements in every stage of production via direct relationships with farmers. For instance, Mokha 1450 on Al Wasl Road strives to work predominantly with women-owned and -operated coffee organisations, including female farmers in the Sabree mountains of Yemen.
Because, as the boutique’s owner, Garfield Kerr, points out: “women represent over 90 per cent of the coffee value chain, but are woefully underrepresented in less than 10 per cent of ownership and management throughout the global coffee industry.”
One of the UAE’s largest suppliers of green (meaning not-yet-roasted) beans, Raw Coffee, is a founding member of the Partnership of Gender Equity, which aims to empower female coffee farmers and harvesters.
Also, globally, many companies have found the perfect way to recycle old coffee grounds: they create the perfect fertile soil in which to grow mushrooms.
Results
6.30pm: Maiden Dh165,000 (Dirt) 1,600m
Winner: Celtic Prince, David Liska (jockey), Rashed Bouresly (trainer).
7.05pm: Conditions Dh240,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Commanding, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar.
7.40pm: Handicap Dh190,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner: Grand Argentier, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson.
8.15pm: Handicap Dh170,000 (D) 2,200m
Winner: Arch Gold, Sam Hitchcott, Doug Watson.
8.50pm: The Entisar Listed Dh265,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner: Military Law, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi.
9.25pm: The Garhoud Sprint Listed Dh265,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Ibn Malik, Dane O’Neill, Musabah Al Muhairi.
10pm: Handicap Dh185,000 (D) 1,400m
Winner: Midnight Sands, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson.
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
TRAP
Starring: Josh Hartnett, Saleka Shyamalan, Ariel Donaghue
Director: M Night Shyamalan
Rating: 3/5
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
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UAE jiu-jitsu squad
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Women: Wadima Al Yafei and Mahra Al Hanaei (49kg), Bashayer Al Matrooshi and Hessa Al Shamsi (62kg)
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Company Fact Box
Company name/date started: Abwaab Technologies / September 2019
Founders: Hamdi Tabbaa, co-founder and CEO. Hussein Alsarabi, co-founder and CTO
Based: Amman, Jordan
Sector: Education Technology
Size (employees/revenue): Total team size: 65. Full-time employees: 25. Revenue undisclosed
Stage: early-stage startup
Investors: Adam Tech Ventures, Endure Capital, Equitrust, the World Bank-backed Innovative Startups SMEs Fund, a London investment fund, a number of former and current executives from Uber and Netflix, among others.
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
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Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
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UAE%20medallists%20at%20Asian%20Games%202023
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Company Profile
Company name: Yeepeey
Started: Soft launch in November, 2020
Founders: Sagar Chandiramani, Jatin Sharma and Monish Chandiramani
Based: Dubai
Industry: E-grocery
Initial investment: $150,000
Future plan: Raise $1.5m and enter Saudi Arabia next year
Champion%20v%20Champion%20(PFL%20v%20Bellator)
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