1. Post School Intentions of Senior School Students in PPP Government Schools, Abu Dhabi Geoffrey Millar Dep. Project Director, SSAT March 17, 2011 1

2. The greatest use that can be made of wealth is to invest it in creating generations of trained and educated young people. HH Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, 2004 2

3. The change in the education sector is necessary to achieve the goals of the economic vision of the emirate. Dr. Mugheer al Khaili, Director General of ADEC 3 Abu Dhabi 2030 Vision…..

4. Human Capital is… the sum total of the useful knowledge, experience, training and capacity of people. Increased human capital makes a country more productive. The most effective way to increase human capital is through formal education KG School Higher/Voc Ed. 4

5. School.. to.. HEd Current Issues….for boys Easy access to public service jobs for boys where… minimum standard is not demanding high certainty of acceptance Pay attractive Other conditions are very attractive 5

6. 6 and….for boys and girls… Foundation Course Entrance Trap Students rest on their laurels with a 150 + CEPA, enter Foundation and most then fail to progress to their chosen course Career Expectations: I want to be a manager… Not nearly enough students take Science and Technical courses & then theres ….. teaching

7. So…..we find… Attractive employment options without HEd Under representation of boys in HEd Many leave before completing a degree Very low enrolment in maths, engineering or science/science related courses Continued need for highly-skilled expats including teachers 7

8. Survey Results 1 8 Almost the same percentage of nationals as non-nationals intend to continue to HEd Notes.. It was hard to find girls selecting the stay at home option Boys home option may indicate work on the farm

9. Survey Results 2 9 More Science stream students intend to go on to HEd than those in Arts. also.. Note the high percentage who say they will consider teaching

10. Survey Results 3 10 More girls intend continuing to HEd than boys but.. the boy percentages are higher than expected.

11. Survey Results 4 11 Also, little difference was found in intensions city v desert, although it is fully understood that the students in the desert schools are academically weaker. Conclusion What was expected from anecdote was confirmed, but much more weakly than expected. and… Teaching was considered more favourably than expected.

12. What students said.. In selecting HEd as a destination, reasons cited were To get a better job ~60% For more money ~10% but… 25-33% said that theywanted to do something positive for their country 12

13. What students said.. 13 about the possibility of Teaching It was too hard; Too boring; Pay was cited but….. Some referred positively to teaching as giving back to the country

14. So…..we find… At least on paper the vast majority of upper high school students indicate that they wish to do HEd study That many motives are altristic That teaching was being considered 14

15. The Way Forward More information is clearly needed: Thorough Research; from anecdote to validity Data; statistics, trends Strengthened secondary/HEd interface Student Programs 15

16. A Careers Program? Introduction of a full Career Education program for students in Cycle 3 schools and lower covering Career options - especially promotion of the private sector work Student interests and drivers analysed - Orientation & Aptitude Testing HEd outreach / visits Involvement of Parents Tracking of students 16

17. Other Thoughts…. Careers materials for students, parents & teachers Careers Centre within schools Enterprise Education - Commerce subjects within the curriculum Teacher training/PD for current teachers Work Experience programs? Annual/regular Career Expos Etc etc 17

18. Shukran … Questions 18