Abstract/Notes: In the face of rising demand for private schooling in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Qatar, a lack of affordable schooling options, monopolistic behavior of private education providers, and unpredictable government regulations have created a complex and unequal education sector. This research employs a mixed methods comparative approach to explore the ways in which private education providers navigate the regulatory schooling environments and assess the impact on education stakeholders in the UAE and Qatar. The study finds that there are considerable socioeconomic differences in terms of who has access to schooling and that a growing for-profit education sector may be deepening existing inequities in both countries, leaving poorer expatriate families only able to access low-quality education or in the worst cases, unable to access education at all. The promise of non-profit providers as a viable alternative to ensure access is explored.

Language: English

DOI: 10.18275/fire201603021076

ISSN: 2326-3873

Language: English

ISSN: 0959-4108

Abstract/Notes: More than 11 countries in the Middle East region offer early childhood programs that have adopted Montessori and Montessori-inspired practices. Through a case study of Saudi Arabia, this chapter explores Montessori as an imported pedagogy brought to Saudi Arabia by expatriate residents in the 1960s and the culturally specific adaptations made for an Islamic educational environment as Montessori has expanded across private early childhood programs in Saudi Arabia since the 1990s. There is considerable variability in Montessori implementation in Saudi Arabian schools, especially given the international cachet of the Montessori method, suggesting challenges to maintaining fidelity and quality as Montessori-inspired kindergarten programs grow in number.

Language: English

Published: New York, New York: Bloomsbury Academic, 2023

ISBN: 978-1-350-27561-4 978-1-350-27560-7 978-1-350-27562-1

Series: Bloomsbury Handbooks

Abstract/Notes: This study explores the role of Montessori pedagogy for early childhood pupils in Saudi Arabian. In order to fulfil this aim, this study collected data from a sample of 12 teachers in different five schools in order to explore their attitudes towards the adoption of Montessori pedagogy in early childhood schools. Two types of data collection methods (i.e. interviews and questionnaire) were used in this study. The numeric data collected from the questionnaire was analysed statistically and the textual data collected from interviews were analysed using thematic analysis. The findings indicate that teachers believe that using Montessori Pedagogy can help students in early childhood as it enhances their learning quality and performance. Furthermore, using Montessori pedagogy is preferable among teachers of younger ages. However, an efficient adoption of Montessori pedagogy requires sufficient experience from the teachers in using this pedagogy. Other factors that influence the attitudes of teachers towards using Montessori pedagogy include availability of specialist support and the existence of training courses for teachers. In regard to limitations, the results of this study cannot be generalized to the whole population due to the small size of sample adopted in this research.

Language: English

Published: Palma, Spain: International Academy of Technology, Education and Development (IATED), 2019

Pages: 5362-5362

DOI: 10.21125/edulearn.2019.1316

ISBN: 978-84-09-12031-4

Abstract/Notes: Montessori English Teaching Model (METM) is a unique way of instruction that uses specifically designed learning settings and approaches to nurture students' intrinsic desire to learn. English achievements for Saudi students have been for long very low. The current study aimed to investigate the real challenges of implementing Montessori English Teaching Model in Saudi Arabian elementary schools. Qualitative method, namely focus group discussion, was used. Four purposive focus groups with different educational positions and experiences were formulated, namely school supervisors (SS), school principals (SP), English teachers (ET), and English curriculum specialists (ES). The major findings of the study were that1) major challenges existed for implementing the METM in Saudi elementary schools, 2) the challenges concentrated on four categories: educational context, work ethics and environment, nature of teachers and students, and social aspects, and 3) agreements on some of the sub-themes fluctuated. Recommendations for further investigations are made for interested and educational personnel.

Language: Arabic

DOI: 10.21608/mjat.2019.101825

ISSN: 2535-213X

Abstract/Notes: Early childhood (EC) is the right period to start emphasizing on teaching young children about diversity, equity and inclusion. The new vision of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 2030 target to boost educational system through continuous invest in and teachers' education and professional training focused on integrating multicultural education into the curricula. The current study dealt with two main dimensions: The first dimension revealed the different curricula, teaching strategies, and assessment of children's learning in kindergartens in the public and private sectors. The second dimension focused on investigating how these applied curricula take into account the principles of diversity, equity and inclusion for children from different cultural backgrounds. The current study used the descriptive analytical approach through the application of the questionnaire, which targeted a number of government and private kindergartens in various major cities in the Kingdom. The results revealed the interest of private kindergartens in applying modern and diverse curricula in terms of teaching and assessment strategies and in terms of respect for diversity, equity and inclusion for all children, which meets their different needs. Teachers in private kindergartens expressed their confidence and competence to teach children from different cultures, and that the applied curricula ensure respect for their cultural backgrounds in terms of teaching methods that are free of racism in any form. Continuous professional training and the employment of teachers from different cultures contributed to raising the cultural awareness of children in private kindergartens compared to government ones. The current study recommended decision-makers to update the curricula in government kindergartens in line with the global trend towards integrating children from different cultures and backgrounds in the classroom.

Language: English

ISSN: 0827-3383, 1917-7844

Abstract/Notes: The study aimed to reveal the degree of Availability of early developmental learning standards in Montessori activities. Analysis in light of it, and the study used the descriptive approach in the manner of content analysis for the Activities of the Culture Corner in the light of developmental early learning standards The most prominent finding of the study is that the learning approach criterion came first with a medium degree, with frequencies amounting to (311) with a rate of (36.03%), followed by the Criterion of language development and knowledge in a medium degree, with frequencies amounting to (275) with a rate of (32.09%), While the Criterion of social-emotional development came in the last rank with a medium degree, with frequencies amounting to (277) with a rate of (31.8%), While the history activities came from the corner of Culture ranked first with frequencies amounting to (217) with a Rate of (24.8%), While astronomy activities came last with frequencies amounting to (27) with a Rate of (3%). Kindergarten l In light of the standards of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Language: Arabic

ISSN: 2805-413X

Language: English

ISSN: 0952-8652

Language: English

ISSN: 1054-0040

Language: English