ZHO Launches 4-Year Special Education Program for UAE Citizens

The Zayed Higher Organization for People of Determination (ZHO) has taken stride in localizing specialized professions, which also includes the teaching of special education program, within its broader humanitarian services agenda for People of Determination in the UAE. With numerous national partners, ZHO has launched a four-year academic program to train Emirati male job seekers in special education as part of the Emiratisation efforts in the country.

This initiative seeks to equip Emirati professionals with the skills and enable them to qualify to provide effective and culturally relevant special education services. According to ZHO, training local educators, who normally share the same cultural background and societal values, is expected to contribute to better communication and service delivery in the specialized field of teaching People of Determination.

ZHO currently has in its employment 161 Emirati special education teachers, and it will be employing more in the future through strategic partnerships with local institutions. Currently, the program has enrolled 30 male students into special education studies, of whom one has started working in the field. These students will learn subjects, such as intellectual disabilities, autism, and multiple disabilities, while receiving practical training through hands-on courses.

The following major partners spearhead the initiative: United Arab Emirates University (UAEU), Abu Dhabi Government Enablement Department, and National and Reserve Service Authority. UAEU is the main player in selecting national service graduates and registering them in special education courses. The university has field training, which is part of the learning process for students towards attainment of practical experience.

All activities of selecting, tracking performance and managing employment contracts in the program fall under the jurisdiction of Abu Dhabi Government Empowerment Department. The stipends paid to students for the entire duration of the program are borne by the department as well. Selection and provision of training of students, employment in the next 90 days after graduation are entirely the ZHO mandates.

The National and Reserve Service Authority integrated all partners in a series of efforts aimed at identifying national service graduates and enrolling them into the program.

This elaborate initiative relates to enhancing local capacity in special education, making it possible for well qualified Emirati professionals to meet the needs of People of Determination across the different emirates in the UAE.