ABU DHABI // Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, on Monday personally honoured 50 teachers who he said were “performing a national duty as great as the duty of a soldier who defends his country”.
A special lunch was held for the Emirati teachers and principals, all with at least 20 years of experience, at the Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi to mark Unesco’s World Teachers’ Day.
Then, to their surprise, they were taken by bus to meet Sheikh Mohammed, also Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, where he passed on his gratitude for their work in shaping the nation’s future leaders.
Ali Al Sharaf, principal of one of the emirate’s oldest schools, Al Nahyaneia Model School in Al Ain, said he was delighted with the chance to meet the Crown Prince.
“It is a great thing. I didn’t expect that but with Sheikh Mohammed you expect anything, everything is possible,” Mr Al Sharaf said. “We are happy, we are proud.”
The lunch was organised by the Abu Dhabi Education Council. Its director general, Dr Amal Al Qubaisi, thanked Sheikh Mohammed for a message he delivered on Sunday recognising teachers as “the backbone of the most valuable asset we have – the human being”.
“This gives a very high status and position to the teacher,” she said.
“Moreover it shows the appreciation from Sheikh Mohammed to them and to their role, and how it’s crucial to the development process of the UAE.”
She said Sheikh Mohammed had emphasised teachers’ roles “not only in education, but also in raising the values within our children – the national values, the feeling of belonging, the sense of patriotism”.
“It’s very important to highlight how we balance between the future needs and the existing needs around this – that the teacher really has to inspire the imagination of the children and let them discover their abilities and innovate at the same time,” said Dr Al Qubaisi.
“It shows that those words came from his feelings as a father and also from his mind as a leader.
“Together, it touched every single individual who is working in the education field, and the impact was so big and so powerful and so deep.”
“I think meeting Sheikh Mohammed is bigger than any trophy you could dream of and his inspiring words to us is beyond any certificate,” Dr Al Qubaisi said
Mr Al Sharaf, who started teaching when he was 19 years old and has been an educator for 39 years, said there was “no excuse” for the younger generation not to take up teaching as a profession.
“I think everything is clear when the leader is focusing on education and on taking care and respecting the profession,” he said. “I think there is no excuse for a new generation not to be a teacher or to get involved in this field, which is the most important field to develop the country, especially a new country.”
It was also a highly rewarding career, said Mr Al Sharaf. “I love teaching. It’s a massive challenge to be a teacher, and to see the generation that you taught – they are everywhere – and you feel like you did something for yourself and for your country.”
On Monday, Sheikh Mohammed told teachers: “We take pride in what you are giving to your country. We are aware of the huge responsibility that you shoulder to prepare the generations of this dear country. I pray to Allah Almighty to bless you all with success to achieve your goals in education.
“The role of schools is growing more than ever before. We are confident that teachers can take on the responsibility and are fully aware of the pivotal role that education plays in promoting progress and sustainable development in the UAE that has become an inspiring model.”
And on Sunday he told them: “Our children are the real treasure of the country and you are the only ones we trust to build, develop and inspire their imagination, immunise their thought processes and deepen their sense of loyalty.
“Whoever bears this tremendous responsibility is performing a national duty that is as great as the duty of a soldier who defends his country in battles of honour and glory.”
rpennington@thenational.ae
