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New study charts struggle to overcome stereotypes of Emiratis among private school teachers
The National | April 9, 2018

A new education study seeks to understand why some teachers appear to write off pupils that underperform in school, placing the spotlight on the need to adapt in some of the most diverse classrooms.

In the provocatively titled ‘It’s Useless. They’re Emirati,’ Moneer Moukaddem explores teachers’ perceptions of Emirati pupil attainment in private schools in particular, in an attempt to openly tackle observations discussed behind closed doors.

“This is a phrase I have heard again and again not just in schools but outside. It’s not something politically correct to say and that’s the sensitivity of my topic but it is something on the tip of professionals’ tongues,” Mr Moukaddem said about a study presented at a summit organised by the Sheikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi Foundation for Policy Research.

Mr Moukaddem, a researcher with Nottingham University and administrator at an Abu Dhabi private school, is focusing on attitudes in light of more Emiratis enroling in private schools. “I’m very passionate about Emirati students and their education. Their success is important to me," he said. "I grapple this issue on a daily basis – why is education not working for my Emirati students? I wanted to address the problem academically.”

The study takes on a stereotype that Emirati pupils are not motivated. Mr Moukaddem's findings show that making subjects culturally relevant is key to engaging students. “Emirati students are a minority in the private school system. We need to make content culturally relevant so it meets their needs,” he said.

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