Culture & Education | Monday 16 December, 2019 2:43 am |

The 12th Policy Dialogue Forum of the International Task Force on Teachers for Education 2030 concluded on a high note in Dubai, with 300 education experts tackling major opportunities and challenges in the 21st century education system. 

Held under the patronage of Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation for Distinguished Academic Performance, The Teacher Task Force organized the Forum in collaboration with UAE Ministry of Education and UAE Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development and the UAE National Commission for Education, Culture and Science (UNESCO).

The forum was held under the theme ‘The Future of Teaching,’ and saw high-level attendees gather insights on innovative teaching approaches, emerging education technologies, equity and inclusion in and through education, teacher education policies and practices from around the world and sought to identify gaps in policy and practice. The forum noted the need for independent, self-directed and team-based learning in the future in a context in which technologies are shaping how teachers and learners interact with each other and the world. 

The implementation of digital technologies for teachers was a key focus. However, attendees emphasized that investments in learning technologies should be done with careful consideration and should complement important areas of teacher development, such as training, pedagogical and administrative support, and decent work.

It has been noted that over 69 million qualified, properly trained and adequately remunerated teachers must still be recruited worldwide by 2030 to meet SDG 4. In this context, governments and stakeholders at the Policy Dialogue Forum underlined the need for innovative education and teaching policies that respond to these global trends and challenges.

Jamal Mohammed Al Mehairi, Vice Chairman and Secretary General of Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation For Distinguished Academic Performance said, “As technologies evolve so does the education system. In light of the dramatic, game-changing transformation, it is imperative that our teachers become fully equipped to cope with the new changes that greatly influence the manner by which we transfer knowledge and skills to our contemporary learners. The future of education involves advanced tools; hence, all stakeholders should act to optimise opportunities that come with this reality and propose solutions to future issues.  This is one of the main objectives of this year’s Forum. I’m delighted that we are able to delve deep into a myriad of concerns facing us as we continue to move forward and build the best possible education system for the future generations.” 

During the forum, participants called upon the governments, the international community and other stakeholders to develop contextually relevant guidelines for teacher education, continuous professional development opportunities and career advancement; harness technologies in support of innovative and contextualized teaching and learning; and provide teachers with the necessary tools, resources and pedagogic skills to use the new technologies in the classrooms of the future in a fair, safe, ethical and just manner. 

During the event, the participants also tackled the need to equip modern learners with a broad array of skills, not just academic knowledge, as well as talked about innovative learning and teaching approaches. They provided analyses and insights on existing and future-oriented teaching practices as well as revisited past assumptions and gaps in teacher policies and reforms to come up with effective solutions. 

The International Task Force on Teachers for Education 2030 is a multi-stakeholder partnership whose 143 members include 91 governments as well as intergovernmental organizations at global, regional or sub-regional levels, and UN agencies, international NGOs, civil society organizations, global teacher organizations, bilateral and multilateral international development agencies and global private sector organizations and foundations. It receives financial support from several members and partner organisations, including Germany (GIZ/BMZ), Indonesia, Norway, and the Hamdan Foundation. Its Secretariat is hosted by UNESCO.