Teach them a lesson

Vocational training programmes are one way to bring real-world skills to young children

Vocational training ought to be part of the UAE’s school curriculum. Jaime Puebla / The National
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Having a university degree is rightly considered to be important in UAE society but the reality is not everyone is highly academic. For some people, learning a trade makes more sense and is far more interesting than bookish learning.

No one knows this better than Yaqoub Alhamadi, a counsellor at Al Shahba School in Sharjah. As The National reports today, he strikes a simple deal with pupils. If they come to class regularly and behave, they can spend time learning about the things they love most – cars and the stuff under the bonnet. The results have been gratifying. Mr Alhamadi’s students show up for class regularly and are more focused.

It’s a good example of the virtues of vocational training, which ought to be part of the UAE’s school curriculum. Education is about achieving each student’s potential, whether that be as a rocket scientist or a car mechanic.