UAE teachers unhappy over health plan

The UAE Minister of Education was bombarded with a barrage of queries and complaints during a two-hour public discussion on Twitter.

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DUBAI // Teachers at government schools are dissatisfied with the health insurance policy that comes with their job.

Humaid Obaid Al Qutami, the Minister of Education, faced a barrage of queries and complaints during a two-hour public discussion on Twitter.

Outside Abu Dhabi, where all teachers receive full medical coverage, only Emirati state school teachers have free public health coverage. Expatriate teachers receive a health card that allows them to access government health services for a consultation fee.

Private health care is not covered under the ministry policy, although Emirati teachers have the option of free private coverage through Daman’s Thiqa programme.

“We see better coverage given to those working in customs or ports, where they can go to private hospitals for treatment,” said Abdulla Ibrahim, a PE teacher at Omar bin Khattab Model School in Dubai.

“I need that option. If I have a stomach ache and need to be admitted to emergency, in public hospitals they won’t be able to give you an appointment for three weeks. I could die by then.

“I would be admitted faster at a private hospital. I do not mind paying a little extra if we can get covered there too.”

Mr Al Qutami said that a new scheme was in the works, and details would be announced when it had been finalised.

Teachers, however, said the issue had been raised before and not much had been done to address their grievances.

Ali Mehad Ali Al Suwaidi, acting director general at the Ministry of Education, said the issue had been discussed.

“It is not up to the education ministry to make the decision,” he said.

“Teachers are employed at a federal level, like I am. So the decision to expand health insurance will also have to come from the top.”

Yousef Al Shehhi, principal of Al Rams Secondary School in Ras Al Khaimah, said benefits were necessary to keep teachers motivated.

“We are talking about our teachers’ health. It is necessary that they have access to the same services other people have the right to,” he said.