How UAE schools should prepare students for jobs of the future

How UAE schools should prepare students for jobs of the future

Students have the right to understand why they are being taught certain lessons and classroom learning should be connected to real-life situations, says top official

Published: Thu 15 Jun 2023, 9:08 PM Last updated: Thu 15 Jun 2023, 9:10 PM

Considering the ever-changing nature of employment around the world, the UAE's youth should be able to explore career choices not after graduation — but right inside their classrooms while they are still students, a top official said at a forum on Thursday.

Both educators and policymakers need to help students in identifying career aspirations from an early stage, said Faisal Al Hammadi, advisor to the Minister of Education, who spoke during a conference held at GEMS Modern Academy in Dubai.

"Industry experience (among other things) should be integrated to the classroom learning — additionally, tweaking and adapting the curriculum to allow room for ‘work’. Policymakers should come up with programmes that allow students across the country to really understand what is available in the market. So, what are the career choices of today and what are the career choices of future?” he said.

Al Hammadi also stressed that by equipping students with the knowledge and mindset required for entrepreneurship, educators can empower them to create