880 teachers now have Microsoft certifications

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Bahrain’s digital empowerment drive in education is picking pace with it having more than 880 teachers now with Microsoft professional certificates.

The Minister of Education, Dr Majid bin Ali Al-Nuaimi said the certifications are in the Microsoft Innovative Educator (MIE), the Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert (MIEE) and the Microsoft Certified Educator (MCE).

“Teachers of the first phase of the Digital Empowerment Programme schools benefited from the agreement in June 2015, the affiliates of the second phase schools in July 2016, and those of the remaining schools in the following years,” said Dr Nuaimi.

The accredited professional certificates, the Minister said, allows teachers to acquire technological knowledge, use digital programmes and devices in their classrooms.

“It also enables them to remain informed about new ideas and applications in the fields of distance learning and Integrated Education, which contributes to achieving quality education,” the Minister added.

“I am proud”

Professor Amin Mansour, an education technology specialist at Ahmed Al-Omran Secondary School for Boys, who holds an expert teacher certificate from Microsoft International, says: “I am very proud of this global participation as an expert partner in digital transformation. I am proud of my contribution to distance education, TIMES, and televised classes.”

Professor Maryam Shams from Al-Hidd Secondary School for Girls, who holds the MIEE Expert Teacher Certification, said that Microsoft for teachers helps integrates technology and modern digital tools into the teaching process.

“It breaks the routine, revives and motivates every student in the class.”

Microsoft requires all teachers who have obtained the certificates to teach their colleagues a set of digital tools so that the benefit is widespread.