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The Next Generation School (TNG) recently organised a function to mark the World Teachers' Day 2018 at its Al Wakrah campus.
The theme - 'The right to education means the right to a qualified teacher'- of this year's World Teachers' Day, celebrated on October 5 has been chosen by UNESCO to remind the global community that the right to education cannot be achieved without the right to trained and qualified teachers.
The event began with a welcome address by TNG Principal Qudsia Asad. She appreciated the teaching community's dedication and contributions to bring about positive student collaboration and knowledge transfer in the best possible way.
The principal said,"This is TNG's 9th year of imparting quality education. Today, we stand tall with 2500 students, 176 teachers, 42 ancillary staff and 104 classrooms spread over five campuses." Guest speakers with expertise in educational and professional development in Qatar were participated in a panel discussion where they shared their knowledge on the challenges facing the teachers, students and the entire sector.
Dr Caitlin Sparks, Programme Specialist Education at UNESCO Doha and a guest speaker, read out a message stressing on the role of education in the economy. Sparks recently joined the UNESCO Office for the Arab States of the Gulf and Yemen as Education Programme Assistant.
Dr Sparks is responsible for the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) as well as the Global Citizenship and Education for Sustainable Development portfolios at the UNESCO.
"Children in remote areas are deprived of primary education due to lack of qualified teachers. Despite an overall increase in access to education worldwide, a staggering 617 million children have no resources for basic literacy and numeracy. The 2030 agenda calls for early childhood, primary and secondary education for all. To achieve this goal we must expand access to quality education,"said Dr Sparks.
She added,"The world is short of 69 million teachers and needs to recruit qualified teachers to bridge the gap between students and quality education. Our theme this year reflects this reality and reminds governments to confront the challenge and invest in teachers training and extend support to ensure access to quality education for all."
Earlier, TNG Vice- Principal Ms Ailia Rizvi initiated the panel discussion highlighting the importance of teachers and the need for their pedagogical training in today's technology -oriented world.
Panel speaker Dr Irene Theodoropoulou, Associate Professor of Socio Linguistics at Qatar University, said:"I believe that as teachers we should learn from our students and try to connect with their souls and emulate examples of daily life. The challenge that I see is the big number of students in classrooms today, which makes it difficult to give equal attention to all. We need to motivate teachers by creating opportunities for professional development."
Mohammed al Janahi shared his personal experiences with the audience about his journey to become a teacher. A mechanical engineer from Qatar University, he started his career in Maersk Oil Qatar. In 2014, he was seconded to work as a Fellow at Teach For Qatar (TFQ) where he worked as a mathematics teacher in Al Ahnaf School. M0hammed is currently the Head of Outreach for TFQ, where he imparts training to teachers from local independent schools. He provides hands- on training on using technology and creating a competitive environment in the classroom through the use of interactive tools.
Talking about the challenges facing the teaching profession, he said:" Are we qualified to teach the new generation and are we updated with resources and technology to teach students? These are the questions we must ask ourselves. We must remain consistent with learning and maintain a student- centered environment in classrooms."
Dr Shaukat Chandna, a renowned career consultant stressed on the importance of qualified teacher and quality teaching. In January 2007, he founded Qatar Center for Career Development (QCCD) along with Her Excellency Sheikha Maryam al Thani and became Managing Director and Chief Training Officer. Dr Chandna's motivational and attitudinal seminars and short courses have benefited individuals and corporations in several countries in and outside the Middle East.
"A teacher in my view is a performer who must touch the spirit of a student. Be brave, add value to what you do, learn new skills and motivate yourself," stressed Dr Chandna.
Farooq Burney, Executive Director of Al Fakhoora and Together programmes of Education Above All, complimented teachers for being role models in the soceity. Teachers are harbingers of hope in deprived parts of the world. He congratulated TNG teachers for their commitment and dedication.
Al Fakhoora works to promote the right to education in conflict and post-conflict states by providing opportunities for marginalized youth to become educated, professionally skilled and inspirational leaders of the future. The programme provides comprehensive scholarship and empowerment packages, focused not only on quality education but also on student services, leadership development and economic empowerment in Palestine, Syria, Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan and KRG.
TNG students of Preparatory School, Al Wakrah campus, presented a survey conducted on the campus themed:"Can Artificial Intelligence replace teachers?" The quality of survey and the perspectives it brought out amply showed the awareness of the new generation of students.
Students of Ain Khalid campus recited a poem-"Have Made a Difference"- dedicated to the teachers and expressing their appreciation for the difference they make in individual's life.
School Director Riyaz Ahmed Bakali thanked the panelists and lauded the teachers for playing an exemplary role in providing quality education.
