National woman teacher wins prize

A UAE national woman teacher and researcher has won a prize for drawing up a plan to develop relations between the school and parents.

Moza Abdullah Saeed came third in the Science and Culture Seminar of the Al Owais Award for Scientific Invention and Studies.

Her research, she said, was in an area which has always been neglected. "Heads of several educational institutions barely know each other. They meet on special occasions and this has a negative impact on the educational process in our schools. Cooperation is a must for the welfare of pupils.

"Pupils' parents have the important task of raising children by highlighting values. The plan urges parents to create a conducive environment which encourages study and enables pupils to prepare for their exams.

"They should also know their children's problems and suggest solutions."

The plan can be implemented by the school principal and his assistant with the help of social workers and psychologists at school, head of the parents' council and teachers.

"Our plan needs media support to air the activities of pupils and organise an educational conference to which parents can be invited to see their children's work."

The researcher said her plan might face some difficulties due to the expected shortage in parents and a drop in educational awareness among the public.

"We have also suggested some solutions for problems which might occur when activating the role of the principal who can talk to the pupils' parents and urge them to take part in the plan."