Tag Archives: education

Early years are vital Lily B. Libo-on (lily@khaleejtimes.com) / 27 May 2013 The experiences a child faces in his early years are exceptionally important as they lay the foundations for his future. This is how Basateen Pre-school manager Amal Al Amir, views pre-school education. Speaking at the graduation of 25 children, she said that these experiences are the bedrock of a child’s growth stages and future aspirations because they present the child with the opportunities and challenges to acquire the essential skills, which prepare future generations. The graduation ceremony, the 7 th of Basateen Pre-school Centre at Sharjah Ladies Club, was held at Kunooz Ballroom in the presence of Chairman of the Sharjah Educational Board Dr Abdullah Al Suwaiji; Commander-in-Chief of Sharjah Police Major General Humaid Al Hudaidi and Director of Sharjah Ladies Club, Khawla Al Serkal, along with a number of governmental pre-school managers in Sharjah and parents of the graduates. Al Amir said that the centre is committed to promoting and extending the learning and development of each child through facilitating quality early childhood care and education, fostering the educational domain, and promoting the skills of the students. “We endeavor to deliver this through securing an innovative and stimulating approach which embraces the values of the Arabic and Islamic cultures…I am proud today (to witness the) graduation of Basateen Pre-school Centre’s Class of 2013 and wish them every success and luck in their future. I would also like to thank the parents for the confidence they have instilled in us and we hope that we are able to shoulder this supreme responsibility and meet their expectations. I would like to express my sincere gratitude and appreciation to all the caregivers of the centre, specially the pre-school teachers”, she added. Abdullah Majid Al Qasimi and Sara Tayara, students at the centre, led the recitation of the Holy Quran by the students. A presentation of the Basateen Centre’s activities and achievements during the year was presented to the audience, followed by several dance routines and performances by the Basateen students such as a traditional song and dance and a religious song called “Ishq Al Emarat” and “Hal Hilalak ya Ramadan”. Dr Al Suwaiji and Al Serkal awarded the Basateen class of 2013 with certificates and posed for a group picture with the graduates. Following the award ceremony, the children, with their parents, headed to the “Al Juman” and “Al Murjan” halls where several activities and events were set up for children, including face painting. “I would like to thank Dr Abdullah Al Suwaiji for his support and attendance of the Basateen graduating 2013, 7 th batch. As I also congratulate all the parents on this lovely occasion and I wish all our students the best of luck,” Al Serkal said. Basateen Preschool Centre is one of the centres which take on full-time care of children before they enter kindergarten level. It also teaches children positive behaviors, Arabic language and the principles of the Holy Quran.   Continue reading →

‘Salaries not keeping pace with rising costs’ Staff Reporter (sarah@khaleejtimes.com) / 27 May 2013 UAE workers say salaries are not keeping pace with rising living costs, and two-thirds believe their salary is lower than their peers, which could lead to future economic difficulties, according to those behind a recent survey. More than half  — 53 per cent — of UAE respondents in the 2013 Bayt.com Mena Salary Survey said living costs had increased by more than 15 per cent in 2012, with rent and food being the biggest drivers. Eighty per cent said the rent had increased in the past year, while about 70 per cent believed food was more expensive and about 40 per cent said education fees were also behind the rise in costs. Eight in 10 respondents thought living costs would increase further in 2013. Meanwhile, 44 per cent said they did not get a rise in 2012. The majority of those who did, received between one to five per cent — and almost half, 48 per cent, were unhappy with the amount received. Almost one-third were unable to save any of their monthly income. Four in 10 were able to save up to 15 per cent, and one-third repatriated more than 15 per cent. About two-thirds — 67 per cent — of the UAE respondents felt they received less pay than their industry peers. While 50 per cent cited medium satisfaction with their pay-packet, only three per cent had a high level of satisfaction. Sixty per cent of the UAE respondents were planning to find a new job in the next year, the highest result for all countries surveyed, and above the average of 54 per cent. Bayt.com vice-president of sales Suhail Masri, said the results suggested salaries were not keeping pace with rising living costs, and this was something companies must begin to address.  “(In) doing so, they will be able to contribute to building employee loyalty and satisfaction, and will have the opportunity to reduce the number of employees looking to change jobs within the next year,” he said. UAE respondent expectations for the next year were mixed, with about 30 per cent expecting a raise of up to 15 per cent, about 20 per cent expecting more than 15 per cent, while about another 30 per cent do not believe they will get anything. The survey, conducted by recruitment agency Bayt.com and market research company YouGov, canvassed more than 15,000 people from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Egypt, Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia in April and May this year. YouGov Mena chief executive Sundip Chahal said it was important for companies to consider drivers of loyalty “in order to slow what would seem to be a very transient workforce.” “Employees across the Mena region seem dissatisfied with their current packages and the rising cost of living; if the two do not draw closer, then there could be potential economic difficulties in the coming years,” Chahal said. Overall, 28 per cent of the UAE respondents said salaries were increasing marginally, another 28 per cent said moderately, and 19 per cent believed they were staying the same. Inflation, rising living costs, economic growth and good corporate performance were believed to be behind the rise, while those who said salaries were not increasing believed this to be due to the poor economy, poor performance and more talent being available than jobs. Thirty one per cent believed there was an excess of talent in the region. Most respondents claimed salary was their biggest draw card, with almost half saying the extent their loyalty was linked to salary was between 70 to 100 per cent, followed by career progression opportunities.   Continue reading →