'Pricey STEM education not good enough'

Dubai - Parents and students said these subjects are also not easily accessible to students across different age groups.

Science and technology education in UAE schools does not "truly prepare" students for the future, a group of parents and pupils lamented at a forum on Saturday.
Gathering at the first town hall meeting for parents, students and education stakeholders in Al Barsha, the group said the quality of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics education in schools are not worth the "exorbitant rates" charged. They said these subjects are also not easily accessible to students across different age groups.
"Though schools in the UAE are preaching a new system that largely relies on modern technology, most of them still rely on traditional methods of teaching," they said at the event organised by alternative education provider Coded Minds.
Omar Farooqui, founder and chief innovation officer of Coded Minds, said the event will be organised every quarter to allow parents and students to voice their concerns and frustrations regarding STEM education. Later, a proposal anchored on the suggestions from the discussions will be submitted to schools and other stakeholders, aiming to improve the quality of education.
"Today, most schools still depend on theoretical study and the means of testing students are largely standardised. This does not help students and does not provide them with individual attention," said Farooqui.
He added: "'One plus one is two' is taught in every school across the world, irrespective of the fees they charge. However, institutions charge exorbitant fees for advanced school campuses."
STEM at primary level
Fifi Leine, a British mother to two boys, said her sons are passionate about coding. However, her boys have to wait till they reach secondary school to gain regular access to STEM, AI, and robotics education.
"Computer science and coding are featured more heavily in the curriculum at a later stage. They have it in secondary school, not primary," said Leine. She argued that if children are clear about what they want to study at a young age, they must be given the opportunity to pursue it right from childhood. 
"For example, when you're learning the language. You learn it when you are a child. The same goes for coding. I think it has to be introduced to kids at a young age," she said. 
"I also think there is nothing wrong with providing kids with the traditional mode of education." However, Leine said education must keep pace with developments in technology. 
Mohamad Nsouli, a Lebanese parent with two kids, said: "Robotics and AI must be introduced to mainstream education. I don't think schools are adapting to the technological changes fast enough. They are not preparing children for future jobs."
"This has to be the case in Dubai specifically, considering what the city stands for. Also, the Rulers of the country have set a goal to respond to the needs of the new world. They have decided to be at the forefront of technology. Education needs to catch up with these needs."
High cost of education
Some parents said education is "exorbitantly priced" in the UAE and for the price they pay, children must be provided with opportunities that meet future needs. Bilal Alsoudi, an Iraqi father to twins Mustafa and Samah, said the current education landscape is unnecessarily expensive.
"I come from a country where education was free up until the point I graduated from college. After that, I paid for my master's in the US, which was about US$20,000 a year. However, for my kids, I am paying over Dh80,000 per child, which comes up to the price of two master's degrees. This should not be the case," said Alsoudi, who works as an IT consultant. 
dhanusha@khaleejtimes.com