Schools must put teachers at the heart of decision-making to achieve the innovations needed in education today, a Dubai education conference heard.
Education ministers from around the world discussed the challenges facing the sector at the RewirEd summit at Expo 2020 Dubai on Monday.
Manish Sisodia, Deputy Chief Minister of Government of Delhi, and Patrizio Bianchi, the Italian Minister of Education, were among the high-ranking speakers at a panel moderated by Mina Al Oraibi, editor in chief of The National.
Liina Kersna, Estonia's Minister of Education and Research, said advancing learning required a team effort from heads of schools through to pupils and parents.
“Innovation in education means a mindset change of the whole school community, the school leaders, teachers, also students and, families, as they are very often the most conservative when it comes to a change attitude to learning,” she said.
She said teachers in her country swiftly learnt how to use new video and digital tools during the pandemic.
Estonia is known for its successful education system, with pupils ranking highly in global assessments such as the Programme for International Student Assessment rankings.
In 2018, Estonian pupils were the best in Europe for reading, science and mathematics in the Pisa rankings.
Emphasis on teacher skills
Focusing on teachers is part of the country's winning formula, says Ms Kersna.
“We highly value schools and teacher’s autonomy, and teacher education. Our teachers must hold a master’s degree which means five years of universities and one year of in-service training,” said Ms Kersna.
“It is very important that if we want to give teachers more autonomy, we have to educate them, because we have to trust them.”
She said the country had ensured that every child had equal access to free quality education, regardless of their economic background.
She said that to boost a spirit of innovation, children should not be reprimanded for making mistakes
“I do not want to punish students for making mistakes. If we punish them, then they never will be innovators,” she said.
Dr Dipu Moni, Minister of Education for Bangladesh, said the role of teachers was evolving in a digital environment.
“Teachers will play a huge role in being facilitators or guides, because now we know that the teacher is no longer the only source of knowledge and information. So, they will have to adjust to that new role,” said Dr Moni.
She said teachers in Bangladesh had risen to the challenge of the pandemic and within 11 days the country had moved lessons from classrooms to television, online and radio.
The government’s Digital Bangladesh programme, which has been in place since 2008, works to make effective use of technology in education, health, jobs and to reduce poverty.
“Digital Bangladesh became the leader during this pandemic, because we could switch from classroom to remote learning or within a matter of days,” said Dr Moni.
“Digital Bangladesh is helping us because we are able to reach out to teachers for their training and it has become easier.”
She said teachers in remote areas were able to create their own digital content now.
Mohammad Al-Sudairi, Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Minister of Education for Universities, Research and Innovation said it was important to focus on how pupils were taught and ensure methods continued to progress.
“If you have teachers capable to act and react quickly to the changes, make more involvement with the students, then you will be able to have children who graduate skilled and empowered with the needs of the future,” said Mr Al-Sudairi.
He said many of their initiatives focused on re-skilling pupils, teachers and school administrators.
The National Archives, Abu Dhabi
Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.
Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en
Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
Expert advice
“Join in with a group like Cycle Safe Dubai or TrainYAS, where you’ll meet like-minded people and always have support on hand.”
Stewart Howison, co-founder of Cycle Safe Dubai and owner of Revolution Cycles
“When you sweat a lot, you lose a lot of salt and other electrolytes from your body. If your electrolytes drop enough, you will be at risk of cramping. To prevent salt deficiency, simply add an electrolyte mix to your water.”
Cornelia Gloor, head of RAK Hospital’s Rehabilitation and Physiotherapy Centre
“Don’t make the mistake of thinking you can ride as fast or as far during the summer as you do in cooler weather. The heat will make you expend more energy to maintain a speed that might normally be comfortable, so pace yourself when riding during the hotter parts of the day.”
Chandrashekar Nandi, physiotherapist at Burjeel Hospital in Dubai
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Polarised public
31% in UK say BBC is biased to left-wing views
19% in UK say BBC is biased to right-wing views
19% in UK say BBC is not biased at all
Source: YouGov
GIANT REVIEW
Starring: Amir El-Masry, Pierce Brosnan
Director: Athale
Rating: 4/5
Tewellah by Nawal Zoghbi is out now.
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The distance learning plan
Spring break will be from March 8 - 19
Public school pupils will undergo distance learning from March 22 - April 2. School hours will be 8.30am to 1.30pm
Staff will be trained in distance learning programmes from March 15 - 19
Teaching hours will be 8am to 2pm during distance learning
Pupils will return to school for normal lessons from April 5
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
Ain Dubai in numbers
126: The length in metres of the legs supporting the structure
1 football pitch: The length of each permanent spoke is longer than a professional soccer pitch
16 A380 Airbuses: The equivalent weight of the wheel rim.
9,000 tonnes: The amount of steel used to construct the project.
5 tonnes: The weight of each permanent spoke that is holding the wheel rim in place
192: The amount of cable wires used to create the wheel. They measure a distance of 2,4000km in total, the equivalent of the distance between Dubai and Cairo.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Gulf rugby
Who’s won what so far in 2018/19
Western Clubs Champions League: Bahrain
Dubai Rugby Sevens: Dubai Hurricanes
West Asia Premiership: Bahrain
What’s left
UAE Conference
March 22, play-offs:
Dubai Hurricanes II v Al Ain Amblers, Jebel Ali Dragons II v Dubai Tigers
March 29, final
UAE Premiership
March 22, play-offs:
Dubai Exiles v Jebel Ali Dragons, Abu Dhabi Harlequins v Dubai Hurricanes
March 29, final
The specs: 2018 Harley-Davidson Fat Boy
Price, base / as tested Dh97,600
Engine 1,745cc Milwaukee-Eight v-twin engine
Transmission Six-speed gearbox
Power 78hp @ 5,250rpm
Torque 145Nm @ 3,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined 5.0L / 100km (estimate)
THE%20STRANGERS'%20CASE
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The specs: 2018 Chevrolet Trailblazer
Price, base / as tested Dh99,000 / Dh132,000
Engine 3.6L V6
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Power 275hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque 350Nm @ 3,700rpm
Fuel economy combined 12.2L / 100km
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Greatest Royal Rumble results
John Cena pinned Triple H in a singles match
Cedric Alexander retained the WWE Cruiserweight title against Kalisto
Matt Hardy and Bray Wyatt win the Raw Tag Team titles against Cesaro and Sheamus
Jeff Hardy retained the United States title against Jinder Mahal
Bludgeon Brothers retain the SmackDown Tag Team titles against the Usos
Seth Rollins retains the Intercontinental title against The Miz, Finn Balor and Samoa Joe
AJ Styles remains WWE World Heavyweight champion after he and Shinsuke Nakamura are both counted out
The Undertaker beats Rusev in a casket match
Brock Lesnar retains the WWE Universal title against Roman Reigns in a steel cage match
Braun Strowman won the 50-man Royal Rumble by eliminating Big Cass last
