GEMS Education introduces Arabic and Islamic Program for Emiratisation

GEMS Education has developed a one-year on-the-job Nafis Arabic and Islamic novice teacher induction programme to support recent Emirati graduates and prepare them for positions in Arabic language and Islamic education departments across the GEMS network of schools.

GEMS Education stated in a news release distributed on Tuesday that the program would run from January to December 2023 and “provides systematic and comprehensive support for teacher trainees to equip them with curriculum understanding and skills that will help them to thrive in their future professions.”

“It is an individualized program that focuses on comprehensive assistance and mentorship of trainees,” the statement continued. “Trainees will participate in a series of professional development activities, many of which will be tailored to match their needs.”

GEMS initiated a program to promote Emiratisation across its network of schools and related services in the UAE in October of this year. The plan bolsters the Emirati Human Resources Competitiveness Council’s Nafis programmes by supporting the UAE government’s efforts to push and promote Emiratisation inside skilled employment in the private sector.

Keep Reading

• Nafis Watch: UAE Private firm investigated for Emiratisation violations
• New Emiratisation rules: How Nafis helps firms and supports employees
• UAE minister discusses Nafis plan as certain corporations misuse it

Opportunities For Many

Nafis is a government-supported organization that assists UAE nationals and develops professional opportunities for its residents through partnerships with private companies like GEMS.

The trainees will participate in professional coaching sessions regarding essential teaching and learning practices and strategies, such as the Ministry of Education curriculum standards and regulatory requirements, the UAE schools’ inspection framework, the school assessment policy, and evidence-based teaching. After completing the program, trainees will be considered for Arabic or Islamic instructor posts at the entry level in GEMS schools.

New Career Paths

The head of National Workforce Development for the Emirates National Development Programme (ENDP), Essa Al Mulla, stated, “GEMS Education is not just another organization aiming to achieve its Emiratisation goals. The organization has devised a five-year plan to upskill, recruit, and retain Emirati teachers. This program is designed particularly for UAE nationals seeking employment and is an excellent chance for them to create a successful career path in the private education industry and get international-standard experience.”

Fresh Graduates

Fatima AlShamsi, the head of Emiratisation at GEMS Education, continued, “In conjunction with Al Wasl University, GEMS Education has selected thirteen Emirati recent graduates to participate in Nafis on-the-job training for rookie Arabic and Islamic Emirati teachers. I am thrilled to be a part of this wonderful effort, which is the first of a planned series of partnerships with key universities in the United Arab Emirates to promote GEMS as the employer of choice in the education sector.”

Mary Saad, corporate leader — Arabic and Islamic Improvement, GEMS Education, adding, “The program will assist equip participants with the necessary knowledge across all curricula, as well as the appropriate tools to make an effect in their future teaching jobs.”