Abu Dhabi: The quality of education in UAE schools needs to be further improved, said Ali Eisa Al Nuaimi, a member of the Federal National Council from Ajman, yesterday.

Al Nuaimi will put two questions to Hussain Al Hammadi, Minister of Education, on Tuesday, concerning the ministry’s policies on gifted and talented pupils and taking part in international assessment tests.

Al Nuaimi argued despite great efforts and investment from the Government, more was needed.

“The learning outcomes are still lower than our ambitions given the investment of Dh9.9 billion or 22 per cent of the federal education budget of 2013 and Dh3.9 billion or eight per cent of the budget being allocated for higher education,” Al Nuaimi said.

He said educationists estimate that around 95 per cent of public and private secondary school graduates in the UAE who apply to federal universities are not qualified for undergraduate studies, He called on the authorities to help define the appropriate standards for secondary school students.

“Universities spend 30 per cent of their budgets on high school graduates who lack the fundamentals in mathematics, sciences and English,” Al Nuaimi said.

Al Nuaimi said the education strategy should ensure that school students are equipped with the knowledge, skills, values, and attitudes necessary to embark on further education, to enter the workforce, and to be lifelong learners who are prepared to contribute to and be competitive in the global society, while preserving national identity, local culture and traditions.

Al Nuaimi said his second question will tackle plans to find and develop UAE’s most talented children.

In 2008, the Education Ministry launched a programme in around 20 public schools to identify gifted children.

The programme was expanded to 250 schools last year, with a view to increasing that figure to 350 schools.

The Federal National Council will also debate teacher policies, mainly their preparation, recruitment and retention of quality teachers and educators.

Members of the House repeatedly pressed for establishing systems that guarantee the supply of sufficient quality teachers, a policy framework that relates the preparation, recruitment and retention of teachers in a coherent manner, which is also linked to the national education goals and standards.

Humaid Al Qutami, former Education Minister, told the council starting next year, school teachers would have to be certified before they are allowed to teach students.

The final framework for the certification system was due to have been presented to the Cabinet for approval in October.

If approved, it could be introduced in phases from the beginning of 2015. A grace period of one or two years would also be offered to give teachers and schools time to adapt to the new system.

Al Qutami, had earlier told the FNC. He had told the FNC that the the ministry was conducting a comprehensive revision of private education and that a set curriculum for Arabic, Islamic studies and national education will be compulsory in private schools from next year.