Dubai: The Digital School, an initiative under Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI), has unveiled the Building Educator Skills for Teaching (BEST) programme in collaboration with the Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College for Learning and Innovation at Arizona State University. This announcement was made during the World Governments Summit 2026 held in Dubai.
According to Emirates News Agency, the innovative digital self-paced online training programme aims to tackle the global teacher shortage by equipping individuals from local communities to function as teaching assistants. This is particularly crucial in regions where persistent teacher shortages hinder access to education. The programme’s launch at the World Governments Summit underscores its role as a global platform for promoting systematic solutions and practical initiatives to address shared educational and developmental challenges globally.
The BEST programme offers a flexible and scalable training model designed to provide participants with essential classroom skills. This enables them to support lead teachers and maintain learning continuity, especially in areas where hiring qualified teaching staff is challenging. Dr. Waleed Al Ali, Secretary General of The Digital School, highlighted the school’s commitment to empowering communities by helping individuals acquire skills and knowledge, thereby contributing to sustainable development and a more advanced future. He stressed that strengthening those who shape and lead learning is fundamental to ensuring access to education.
Dr. Waleed also mentioned that the program addresses the global teacher shortage through a practical model that empowers local communities and enhances classroom stability in underserved areas. He noted that the partnership with Arizona State University signifies a shared commitment to building resilient education systems that combine digital innovation with academic excellence and local capacity building, ensuring that education is accessible to all learners.
Dr. Chris Howard from Arizona State University expressed the university’s belief in innovation serving the greater good. He stated that the BEST programme embodies this commitment by providing accessible, high-impact training that empowers local communities and expands educational opportunities in the most needed areas. He added that the programme’s scalable model effectively prepares teaching assistants and aligns with the university’s mission to expand education access and deliver sustainable educational impact.
The programme is focused on preparing teaching assistants to improve classroom stability, enhance learner support, and strengthen education systems, especially in regions with persistent or emergency educational staff shortages. Developed in collaboration with the Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College for Learning and Innovation at Arizona State University, the programme aligns with international academic standards and best teaching practices.
In its initial phase, the programme offers ten micro-courses in Arabic and English, covering core teaching skills, learner support, student-centered education, and classroom management, tailored to real-world educational contexts. Additional languages will be introduced in future phases to enhance localisation and access.
Participants who complete the programme will receive a joint certificate from The Digital School and the Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College for Learning and Innovation, providing a recognised professional credential for use within local education systems. The BEST programme is designed as a low-cost, highly scalable digital model for rapid implementation across countries and education systems. Future expansions include additional professional development pathways and ‘Train-the-trainer’ models for long-term education capacity building.
This collaboration exemplifies how academic excellence, digital innovation, and community-based implementation can deliver effective solutions to the global teacher shortage, offering a replicable model for governments, development partners, and education providers worldwide. The programme also supports the advancement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, notably SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).
