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Modern curricula have assorted teaching methods in UAE

'I vividly remember how, till just a few years ago, most schools followed a traditional teaching style.'

Sometimes I keep pondering and wondering: "Should we teachers adhere to the tried, tested and traditional methods of teaching that some of us grew up with, or should we adopt the amalgamation of traditional and progressive ways that might prove perfect for students to scale the rungs of success?"
Provision of quality education has been the prime objective of the visionary leaders of UAE. Shortly after the establishment of the Federation, the inception of the first UAE university was fructified. Since then, with the unstinted and staunch support of the pragmatic Rulers, the UAE has made leaps and bounds progress in the field of education. An amazing transition that has taken place has given an apt face-lift to the education system.
I vividly remember how, till just a few years ago, most schools followed a traditional teaching style. Traditional education, also known as Customary Education or Back-To-Basics, was predominantly prevalent then.
Teacher-centred methods focused on rote learning and more emphasis was given for excelling in academics, memorisation and custom-tailored education. There was 'a single unified curriculum' for all students, regardless of their ability and aptitude.
But as the world continues to evolve at a lightning speed, with technology making its great impact, a dramatic change has taken place in all spheres in the country - and the education framework too has changed for the better.
Modern curricula with assorted and non-monotonous techniques have replaced the dated system. Smart learning strategies are being used to achieve concrete result. Seminars, workshops, 'What Works' campaign, educational exhibitions and providing tech knowledge to the teachers are some of the flagship of innovative activities that have proven a boon to teachers and students.
The modern yardsticks that are used in public as well as private schools across the UAE to test pupils' ability and collaboration build character, teamwork and enhance their academic excellence and capabilities to face new challenges and novel problems confidently.
Teachers have moved toward a student-centred approach. Schools in the country have become much more than just a place for knowledge acquisition.
Now they are places where pupils can discover their passion, hidden talent and find their latent aspirations. They are groomed here to be successful in life - not in subjects - and every effort is made to nurture them so that they become better and ideal citizens of tomorrow.
Hanan Al Hroub, the proud winner of Global Teacher Prize-2016, said: "Educating children should go beyond reading and writing. Teach them perseverance, persistence, pragmatism and resilience. So that society will be proud of them." So apt her 'pearls of wisdom' are!
(Jayashree Kulkarni joined the Abu Dhabi Indian School on September 1, 1982. She taught English in the Primary as well as Middle Section (Grade 6-8) in the Girls' shift. She retired in 2016 due to family commitments)