Academic curriculum for excellence

Educators and professional reflection are the two visages for economic development.

In its purest form, education is the simple means of passing knowledge and understanding on to a new generation. It values for its own sake, not for another purpose – it is an end in itself not a means. But curriculum development can be interpreted as planned, purposeful, progressive, and systematic process to create positive improvements in the educational system. Based on the changes or developments happening around the world, always the school curricula are affected; so there is a need to update them.

During the ancient times, people taught their children knowledge and skills in order to survive, that was the saber-toothed curriculum in which the sole purpose of teaching was survival. Today, curriculum development plays a vital role in improving the economy of a country. It also provides answers or solutions to the world’s pressing conditions and problems.

Curriculum for excellence signals a need to revisit traditional assumptions. The model of the curriculum should be designed to embrace all experiences, which promotes effective learning. This will involve teachers to contribute to the learner’s confidence, participation and success. Our goal should always be, to enable all young people to become successful learners, responsible citizens, effective contributors and confident individuals.

With an increasing emphasis on youth development and employability in the Middle East, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has made a substantial effort to re-imagine and reform its public education sector through many reforms to try to shift education from rote memorisation towards a skill-based system that prepares students to thrive in the 21st century.

Communication, collaboration, critical thinking, problem solving, creativity, and innovation are considered the competencies widely valued for future student success. Teacher’s effective leadership mimics this democratic process, ultimately preparing students to be responsible, active participants in our society.

There is a need for social justice education to promote empathy and engagement where students have voice and choice, reiterating the importance of active citizenship to encourage democratic values. As society strives to create an education system that empowers student leaders, entrusting our teachers to model these values is a momentous step towards systemic change.

- The reader is an English teacher based in Dubai.