Dubai: The licence of a school will be revoked if it fails to apply international standards of education and continuously breaches regulations.
Starting September, the Knowledge and Human Development Authority will inspect private and public schools.
This is part of an initiative to improve the standard of education in Dubai schools.
Students and parents welcomed the move, but some were sceptical, saying the inspections may not bring about real change.
Jameela Al Muhairi, Chief of the Dubai Schools Inspection Bureau, told a press conference on Sunday that inspections of all schools will be mandatory.
"Schools should view inspections as a positive opportunity, not as an obtrusive experience," she said.
Manipulation
Zainab Ali, a parent and teacher at a public school, said this a good opportunity for both sectors. She said private schools should be monitored closely as they tend to manipulate educational standards to serve their own interests.
"As for public schools, they should limit the work pressure on teachers as I am given 24 classes per week. I was recently assigned to teach maths, science and English to elementary students when I am an English teacher," she said.
Mohammad Bashir, who goes to an international private school, said: "It's a wonderful step if it is realistically applied. We seriously need changes in the logistics of education. Teachers are pressured by classes and the rise in cost of living. Pupils are not given enough support and attention from teachers and management, and the schools are on a mission to hike fees and transport expenses."
As part of the inspection process all schools will be expected to draw up their own action plan which will allow them to incorporate recommendations from the inspection report and work towards improvements.
With more than 13 curriculums offered in Dubai schools, inspectors will ensure that the schools follow the criteria which would be on par with international standards.
"KHDA has a vital responsibility for monitoring and encouraging the highest standards of education in private schools. Taaleem welcomes the inspections as the results they give should help us by confirming the strengths of our schools and identifying areas for improvement," said Melissa Jarvinen, Marketing Manager from Taaleem, which manages about six schools in UAE.
Criteria: Seven areas of focus
- All inspections look at the school as a whole in respect to the education provided.
- The framework for inspection relates to quality Indicators with stated areas of focus.
- These relate to seven key areas and can be structured in terms of seven central questions.
- How good is the pupils' progress?
- How good is the pupils' personal and social development?
- How good is the teaching and learning?
- How well does the curriculum meet the educational needs of the pupils?
- How well does the school protect and support pupils?
- How good are the leadership and management of the school?
- How well does the school perform overall?
How do you think UAE schools compare to international driving institutes? Will this move help the standards of driving on the roads?