You may have heard about the newly introduced Mandatory Professional Development (MPD) courses. If you haven’t already, or if you’ve been looking for more information, we’ve put up a quick guide to walk you through what is needed and how to make sure you have all you need. Teachers working in the Emirate of Dubai are currently obliged to comply with a teacher training programme and follow CTS standards, one of which is that they should have completed MPD courses. Each of the six courses must be completed with a Quality Assured Training Provider or an approved provider (QATP).
Although many instructors will be exceptionally skilled in many MPD areas, standardisation of material and application will be immensely useful to the Dubai educational system. They are better positioned to work together to increase the support and standards provided by the schools if they raise their performance levels and ensure that all teachers receive the same skill development in these areas. Not only that, but the themes included in these courses have been carefully selected to help teachers evolve and emphasise on necessary roles and responsibilities as productive global citizens.
Table of Contents
Child Protection and Safeguarding
This course will acquaint educators and school personnel with best practices for learner safety and safeguarding. Participants will learn about UAE child protection regulations as well as processes and standards to guarantee a safe learning environment. It will expand their awareness of different types of abuse, the signs and symptoms of abuse, and the proper steps to protect learners.
The following are the course’s outcomes:
- Learn about the many forms of child abuse and the repercussions of abuse on students.
- Recognise the significance of child protection and learner safety in the classroom.
- Recognise the significance of child safety and safeguarding policies.
- Understand how to handle child safety and safeguarding issues.
People of Determination
This course will help educators and school personnel better comprehend disability, impairment, special education requirements, and inclusion. Participants in this course will investigate various challenges and prejudice encountered by persons of determination, as well as solutions to decrease barriers to encourage inclusion. Participants will also learn about several pieces of legislation and policies that encourage inclusiveness. The course will expand their understanding of the many teaching and learning styles that encourage inclusion.
The following are the course’s outcomes:
- Understand how limitations and impairments can impact learning.
- Recognise the significance of inclusive education for persons of determination.
- Recognise the significance of inclusive teaching and learning practises in providing access to education for persons who are self-motivated.
- Learn about the regulations and policies in the UAE that encourage inclusive education for people of determination.
Diversity
This course will help educators and school personnel comprehend diversity and equality in education. It will also help them comprehend different types of inequality and prejudice and how they affect students and teachers. The course will help them better understand various pieces of law and policies concerning equality and diversity.
The following are the course’s outcomes:
- Understand the ideas of diversity and equality.
- Understand the concepts of equality and diversity in education.
- Recognise the consequences of inequality and prejudice in educational settings.
- Understand the significance of equality and diversity legislation and policies.
UAE Moral Education Programme
This course will introduce educators and school personnel to the UAE Moral Education Programme and its significance. It will improve instructors’ and school staff’s comprehension of the UAE Moral Education Programme’s curricular structure and implementation criteria.
The following are the course’s outcomes:
- Recognize the significance of the UAE Moral Education Programme.
- Understand the UAE Moral Education Programme’s curriculum framework.
Sustainability
This course will help educators and school employees understand sustainability and the necessity of resource efficiency in promoting sustainable development. It will also increase their understanding of activities that may be implemented into the school environment to encourage sustainable habits among students.
The following are the course’s outcomes:
- Recognise the significance of sustainability.
- Recognise the influence of development on long-term sustainability.
- Understand the significance of resource optimisation in promoting sustainable development.
- Understand essential sustainability legislation, policies, and objectives.
Wellbeing
This course will help educators and school personnel understand the significance of a safe learning environment and its influence on student wellbeing. This course will improve their understanding of health and safety, as well as their ability to identify risks and hazards. It will also improve their understanding of the duties and responsibilities of the school in providing a secure learning environment. It will broaden their knowledge of the significance of diet, nutrition, and exercise in improving learner wellness.
The following are the course’s outcomes:
- Understand the significance of student wellbeing.
- Understand the duties and responsibilities of the school to ensure a secure learning environment.
- Recognise the importance of food, nutrition, and exercise in improving learner wellbeing.
- Learn how to measure learner wellbeing.
The six MPD Courses will be offered in a blended approach, with each session lasting 15 hours spread out over a week. These courses will be taught in English alone, but for the advantage of Arab nationals, they can also be presented in Arabic, with the online content/e-Portfolio remaining in English. This teacher training programme is beneficial for teachers to grow in their careers.
