ABSTRACT
Today’s globalising economy requires countries to nurture pools of well-educated workers
who are able to adapt rapidly to their changing environment and the evolving needs of the
production system (GCR, 2006-2013). The Executive opinion survey of theWEF of 2011-2012
revealed that, from a list of 15 factors, an inadequately educated workforce represented
the third top problematic factor for doing business in the UAE. The quantity and quality of
education, however (particularly basic education), are important prerequisites for increasing
productivity and work efficiency. A workforce with little formal education is inclined to
produce limited simplemanual products. It also lacks the right skills and capabilities to absorb
new technologies and generate new ideas and innovations that promote productivity and
bring about new products.
