The Higher Committee of the “Mohammed Bin Zayed Award for the Best GCC Teacher” announced the opening of nominations for teachers wishing to participate in the award. Applications will remain open until the end of November through the award’s website (www.mbzaward.ae).
The Committee confirmed that the award has been established to devote leadership standards in the education system and promote distinguished teachers, and to achieve sustainability in education. The Committee stated that all interested teachers within the Gulf Cooperation Council can review the various details, information and data related to participation in the award, along with the different objectives and standards of the award through the mentioned award website.
H.E Hussain Al Hammadi, the Minister of Education and direct supervisor of the award stated that: “The Mohammed Bin Zayed Award for the Best GCC Teacher” reflects a modern educational philosophy, the contents and objectives of which are in line with a clear and profound vision. The Award also reflects a greatly rising desire by the wise Leadership for providing education in the United Arab Emirates, in particular, and in the GCC states in general with the required momentum that can achieve the aspirations of such countries in enriching the educational process by making exceptional leaps in its ongoing journey leading to the accomplishment of its directives toward a comprehensive development renaissance, with education at the forefront as the true pillar for great breakthroughs in all aspects of life.
He stressed that teachers are at the core of the educational process, and provide the onset of any desired development we seek, thus, the award was established to instil various perceptions and principles, and to document a new phase of a homogeneous education process, conforming to the latest trends and ongoing actions in the education sector within developed countries.
He added that this can only be done by motivating teachers to learn from their progress and follow the requirements of their development since the rise of the entire education sector is borne by them, not to mention their obligation towards students’ academic levels, instilling noble values and principles in them, guiding and directing, and promoting positive citizenship.
He concluded that integration of all aspects of the award were a focal matter, as well as the precision of its standards and objectives to give it the best possible image, and to realize systematic perceptions that are capable of providing effective performance and achieving expected results.
H.E Dr. Ali Abdul Khaliq Al Qarni, Director General of the GCC Arab Educational Office and Chairman of the Award’s Higher Committee, stated that integrated work at GCC level is diverse in its various aspects and objectives which are focused on the formation of people and investments in the tremendous human potential in the GCC, noting that education represents a major element in this highly important and close cooperation.
He added: “The Mohammed Bin Zayed Award for the Best GCC Teacher comes from a vision that is conscious and aware of the importance of education in paving the way for developments in GCC countries, by providing a large space for teachers to initiate and positively interact with the practices of modern education and management, and give them the opportunity to dictate the future of education in the GCC in terms of leadership and international competitiveness.”
His Excellency stressed the importance of motivating Gulf teachers to exert further efforts and provide constructive educational work, noting that the award has a definite impact in bridging the relationship of GCC citizens and all aspects of the educational environment.
He added: “We understand that the hopes of our communities and aspirations of our leaders must avail of such competent teachers, who compete to develop their performances and methods in become modern teachers, both professionally and technically, who seek continuous success of their capabilities and renewal of their information”.
He continued to say: “It is without a doubt that H.H Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed’s Award for the Best GCC Teacher targets such teachers. It is evidence of the beliefs of our GCC leaders that teachers are nation-builders and that preparation of tomorrow’s generation can only be achieved through excellent education to steer us toward quality outcomes.
Dr. Al Qarni concluded by saying that with the launch of the award, our countries are moving towards a new path of profound and multi-purpose educational cooperation, with numerous objectives at GCC level, which contribute to their future aspirations for leadership in the education sector. This is considered to be the basis of advancement and the turning point of nations, especially since comparisons among countries are now being measured by the extent and progress of education.
H.E Eng. Abdulrahman Al Hammadi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Education for Control and Support Services and Vice Chairman of the Award’s Higher Committee, said that teachers will remain in the minds of our wise Leadership and, within their comprehensive long term plan to achieve future developments, teachers are considered a true element toward quality sustainable change. The award will be a means to meet the best educational practices and move forward with the educational process to strengthen the results of education, and create self-confident generations capable of leadership, armed with the best and most modern knowledge, skills and science.
His Excellency clarified that the award is based on several standards designated to select and evaluate the competencies of candidates. They include creativity and innovation which make up 20%; positive citizenship, loyalty and national belonging at 10%; development and continuous learning at 20%; community and professional leadership at 10% and excellence in achievement at 40%.
Dr. Hamad Al Darmaki, Director-General of the Award, mentioned the time plan for the award confirming that the award began, at the beginning of September, receiving applications for nominations from teachers meeting the conditions and criteria. This will continue until the end of next November, stating that the office evaluation process will take place next December.
He added that the process for interviews and visits of candidates nominated for the award will be completed during January and February 2018. In March of the same year, the final results will be approved with the results being announced during April.
He clarified that the award is considered significantly valuable in terms of the value of the prize for distinguished teachers, stating that the best six teachers will receive a total prize of 6 million Dirhams; with 1 million Dirhams allocated for each teacher. The top 30 teachers will also receive training courses to learn and benefit from the best international educational practices.
He clarified that all teachers of GCC nationalities with at least three years of experience who are working in the public education sector, including government, private and vocational schools approved by GCC countries, are allowed to participate in the Award.
He explained the method of participation which can be done by the teacher nominating himself on the award’s website, by completing the required personal details and the required details for each criteria. This, then, requires approval of the details sent by the teacher and the correct evidence of each criteria being provided by the teacher.
Al Darmaki mentioned that government committees specialized in both education and administrations have been formed to evaluate participating teachers according to the specified conditions, and that the evaluation process will be conducted electronically.
Award Criteria:
Al Darmaki stated that the Award is based on 5 main criteria which the participating teacher must possess. The first element looks at excellence in achievement, whereby it is essential to present the achievements gained by the teacher through leadership initiatives and programs; their effect on the performance of the school in general, and on students in particular. It also requires the results of students; the teacher’s contribution toward improvement of performance; student learning during previous years; accomplishments in comparison with individual goals; the ability to overcome these goals and expectations during previous years,; praise which the teacher had received from students, parents and colleagues along with any local, regional or international awards won; any appreciation shown through media and various social media networks; in addition to supporting the culture of reading for students.
Award Criteria
The second element is Creativity & Innovation. It comprises of other essentials such as presenting inventions showcased by the teacher within the scope of his work or outside it, the extent of its effect on the local community. Examples of this include utilization of creative teaching methods; use of technologies and modern systems; latest researches and any other utilizations; presenting researches and materials published by the teacher; patents in his name; the use of unusual means and techniques in the field of education and the ability to spread the culture of creativity among students and colleagues; engaging and motivating them toward such fields.
The third element focuses on the development & continuous learning in the qualifications attained by the teacher. The focus here is on the efforts made to achieve educational professional development; the number of professional hours personally achieved during previous years; competency in communication, language, technology and other specialized skills related to education; as well as any active memberships in accredited local and international educational organizations and institutions; their impact on the development of the educational process in general and self-development in particular; the ability to spread knowledge within his academic circle, and any additional training courses taken beyond the educational plan.
How to Participate
Positive citizenship, loyalty and national belonging is considered as the fourth element of the award. Under this criteria, the following is included: the understanding of citizenship and national identity; explanation of the country’s history during classes through various training methods and practises; ability to spread the concept of forgiveness; discussion and respect of culture and ethnic diversity. The teacher must act as an example of positive citizenship in front of students, enhance their sense of responsibility, develop their sense of security (security of the country, awareness related to the risk of extremist ideas, drugs and crime), implanting pride in their country and leadership; the importance of sacrifice to protect our nations; and instilling the culture of respect for the country’s laws and legislations.
The fifth and last element is community and professional leadership which places additional standards on the teacher, namely: encouraging others to become teachers through media, social networks and other means; providing support and assistance to colleagues in the field of professional development; establishing links with schools worldwide; encouraging mutual exchange programs for students and developing the notion of peaceful coexistence; voluntary work in which the teacher contributed to through organizing or implementing; its impact on the community and the official volunteer institutions to which the teacher belongs, the impact of this in servicing the local community, in addition to any awards or commendations obtained by the teacher in the field of voluntary work along with effective and positive communication with parents.
How to prepare the nomination file:
Al Darmaki confirmed that the Mohammed Bin Zayed Award for the Best GCC Teacher was established to instil the standards of leadership in the education sector by focusing on the role of the teacher and motivating them to establish a cohesive and educated school community, as teachers remain the main tool capable of accomplishing the required change in the education process, which is based on creativity and innovation.
He invited teachers to seize the opportunity by participating in the award, which is integrated in all its aspects, contributes to encouraging the educational arena on self-advancement and development, and rewards those distinguished teachers.
25/09/2017