Teach Middle East Magazine Issue 5 Volume 2 May-June 2015 | Page 39

A Moment With that you have observed? Reflecting on the environment of teaching and schools structure from my time, I would say that there is a definite change. We were so eager to learn and the teachers were committed to teaching. Their mission was more altruistic, creating and developing these young minds not only in knowledge but also in character. Our facilities were modest, and this is where the greatest change has occurred. The infrastructure and availability of educational choices have improved dramatically. Today we have better facilities, more technology and opportunities. Despite this, we sometimes see a lack of commitment from students and families these days. There is also a lack of commitment from some of the teachers to help to change the attitudes of the students and families to commit to learning. Our leaders from Sheikh Zayed to date have provided us with the tools to have a first class education system, the best in the region. So, we must work harder as individuals to match these first class opportunities with first class attitudes. Who was your favourite teacher and why? My favourite teacher was my toughest. I used to struggle with my Arabic grammar, and he would say, “You might not master the grammar, but you must master speaking it and writing it to be effective in your life.” This encouraged me to strive in life to always find a way to compensate for where I fall short or may have a weakness, which in return has helped me in English and many other areas in my life. Share with us two common misconceptions about Emirati people and culture that others may have that you would like to correct? The first thing is that we are not all oil rich. Therefore, money is not handed out to each and every one of us as perceived. Our forefathers had humble beginnings. We were fisherman, pearl divers, farmers, shepherds and traders. Our government helps the citizens by creating access to education, healthcare and assistance programmes to be utilized by those who need it. The philosophy of our nation is that no one should be homeless, go to sleep hungry, or be deprived of the basics to live a decent life with dignity. As such, we have many programmes similar to social security. What might be different in our culture is that we offer to assist our citizens in the start of their life rather than aid them once they have aged and can’t help themselves much. In our culture and the teachings of the faith, elderly people are the family’s responsibility not the government. The second common misconception is that women don’t have rights; they don’t have equal access to education, and we tell them what to wear and so on. The truth is that the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH), spoke extensively about the elevated status of women, and accordingly the Quran mentioned these rights more than 1400 years ago. Women are equal in personal responsibility, opportunity, rewards and punishment. Side by side with the man today, the Emirati woman contributes a great deal to the wellbeing of our society, and hold great positions in the government and private sector alike. We do not tell them what to wear, as most men would agree with me, we prefer not to cross that line. How can Emiratis pass on important traditions to the younger generation? • Values: Spend time with them and teach them the values, and moral systems of our forefathers. • Hospitality: Exemplified in the way we welcome all nationalities into our home UAE. • Modesty: Exemplifi