Abu Dhabi: A Dh6 million award to honour outstanding teachers in the GCC region has been launched with a view of empowering future generations with the best education and paving the way towards a knowledge-based community.
The region’s first of its kind award was launched on Monday by the Ministry of Education under the directives of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.
The annual award is in line with the UAE’s approach that aims to nurture and develop new generations armed with innovation, creativity and knowledge to be able to lead the country and the greater Gulf region towards a sustainable knowledge-based community
“The Mohammad Bin Zayed Award for the Best GCC Teacher, which aims to recognise GCC’s distinguished teachers, will serve as a catalyst for teachers to give their best and encourage them to improve their performance and productivity,” Hussain Ebrahim Al Hammadi, Minister of Education and Supervisor of the award, said during a press conference in Abu Dhabi.
He said the award lays a solid foundation to develop education especially that it targets the teacher who is the cornerstone of the learning process and press ahead with the march of progress and education in the GCC.
“The UAE’s leadership views education as a strategic goal and made available all the needed infrastructure, tools and potential to support education. We appreciate teacher’s sublime message that bears noble values in preparing future generations optimally to enable them to acquire the 21st century skills,” Al Hammadi said.
He praised the sound directives of Shaikh Mohammad to launch this valuable and significant award, which will inspire teachers to excel in performing their noble mission as well as in creating new innovative means that help develop highly educated and knowledgeable generations.
“The award aims to advance the learning process and develop the inclusive education system in the Gulf region by highlighting outstanding teachers to be role models for other teachers,” the minister said.
He underlined that the ministry has put teachers at the top of its agenda and the list of priorities in line with its strong belief in the teacher’s ability to formulate a modern vision for innovative education.
“The ministry looks at teacher as key and influential partner in the learning process and this is why it provides him with all the necessary means to engage in the strategy and decision making and the proper planning,” Al Hammadi added.
Work teams will hold discussion sessions at schools to introduce teachers to the award, its targets and criteria for submission.
“The award reflects Shaikh Mohammad’s vision for future and his deep belief in the importance of the teacher’s central role in developing education in the UAE and GCC,” Al Hammadi said.
