Industry and business activity to be studied
In this report, I have chosen education as my business activity which involves comparison between public and private schools in the UAE. The main activities in this report involve comparison between private and public schools in the UAE.
In order to do an effective comparison between these two kinds of schools, the project centers its study on the following areas or aspects of schools, performance (in doing homework), gender population, mode of transport and nationality population.
Such aspects will provide important information on accessibility of education in both the private and the public schools. Also information on the rising demand of private schools and the reason they are preferred by foreign students. Education plays a crucial role in the economy of the UAE. It is the main reason for increased productivity and income.
Strategic effects of education on the economy of UAE
Education is strategically important to the economy of the UAE. This proves the words of the President of the UAE ‘education is like a lantern which lights your way in a dark alley’ and an increased attention of his wife to promoting this issue in the country (Al Sadik 219). This is because the relationship between education and economic growth is vital.
Education is the key determinant of increased productivity and growth in the economy of the UAE. Education is an important element in development of skills necessary in enhancement of modernization and growth in the country. In their study, Joan Muysken and Samia Nour emphasize the interconnection of low development of local technologies and slow restructure of the economy with the poor education (957).
To improve the situation in the country, “in the fall of 2003, His Excellency Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research… initiated a special national level planning group aimed at advancing national educational policy in the UAE” (Fox 2).
The UAE is endowed with abundant natural resources; oil and gas. In order to ensure improved technology in processing of oil related products, intensive training and education is needed. Such training also provides jobs to the citizens of the UAE. Education plays a key role in research and technology. Research and technology ensure that education provided matches the requirements of job market.
Education is the key element in ensuring that the UAE emerges from the economic crisis facing the world today. The country seeks to play an active role in education in order to ensure an economy which is knowledge based. The reason is that, an educated person is able to turn risks and challenges into social and economic opportunities which are feasible.
All strategies and development plans of the UAE are influenced by education because it plays a vital role of removing all obstacles which hinder sustainable development and achievement of high rates of growth. With rapid increase in the country’s population, education is the key investment because this population provides human capital which is important in the UAE’s economy.
Comparison between public and private school will impact the economy because it shall give a guideline on tastes and preferences of different students. This will help the government at this time it is investing heavily on education. The study will affect the economy also by showing contributions of gender and students of different nationalities towards sustainable development.
Methods of data collection
The data collected is both primary and secondary data. Primary data was collected through observation. The most employed technique of observation in this report is in-depth technique. Participative and non- participative technique was partly used.
In-depth interviews were carried out through a short questionnaire which had the questions on performance, gender, mode of transport and nationality of students was administered. These interviews were done face to face, computer assisted and through telephones.
The ones done through computer and telephone calls were directed to known persons like principals, head teachers or head of departments to give information on performance of students and gender population. Questionnaires were administered to students and were done face to face and provided information on all four key areas of study.
Surveys were employed too to observe the behavior of students, the mode of transport they preferred and the nationality percentage.. These methods were used to reduce errors that may occur as a result of using one method of collecting data.
Participative and non-participative methods of observation were partly used to observe some of the students’ behavior in order to make observations too, mostly on mode of transport and nationality aspects. Secondary data is usually collected and recorded by someone else.
This data was derived from records, books, logs and journals. Journals on leaders of the UAE on their plans of investing on education and importance of education to this provided secondary data. Such data was readily available on libraries and internet.
Data analysis
The data collected was in numerical form. Tally method was used to derive data from every questionnaire, call and survey. A table containing the four aspects of study had to be drawn (columns for performance, transport, gender and nationality and rows for private and public schools).
Use of spreadsheet program in form Microsoft Excel was most appropriate in calculations of percentages as well as displaying the results. It provided an appropriate means of summarizing the information collected.
Graphs were used to display the results and gave an excellent choice. On x- axis was the independent variable, that public and private schools while on y- axis was the percentages for each (dependent variable). The data was in sets so different colours had to be used for labeling purposes. Also a legend has been provided in all graphs.
The data collected showed girls performed better in doing their homework than boys on both government and private schools. It also showed that the enrollment of girls was higher than boys in both kinds of school.
In regards to the mode of transport, a higher percentage prefers cars as compared to buses in government school while in the private sector are the opposite. Also the study established that a high percentage of foreign students prefer private schools. This is because these schools offer foreign languages. Such conclusions will help the government in decision-making when investing in education.
References
Al Sadik, T. (2001) Evolution and performance of the UAE economy 1972-1998. United Arab Emirates: A New Perspective, 4, 46, 202-230.
Fox, W. (2007.) The United Arab Emirates: Policy choices shaping the future of public higher education, 3, 20, 49-55.
Muysken, J. and Samia N. (2006). Deficiencies in education and poor prospects for Economic growth in the Gulf countries. The case of the UAE. Journal of Development Studies 42, 957-980.