Dubai – November 19, 2024: As part of its commitment to ensuring that every Emirati student in Dubai has access to high quality education, the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) has launched Excel Anywhere – one of the Game Changer initiatives under the Education 33 strategy, which was recently announced by HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE, and Chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai.
Excel Anywhere is one of 28 Game Changer initiatives under the E33 strategy. The Game Changers will redefine educational experiences and outcomes, fostering innovation and excellence across all levels of education.
Excel Anywhere is designed to raise the quality of education for Emirati students across the emirate through tailored support and data driven interventions to ensure they have the support needed to excel.
In line with this goal, the first phase of Excel Anywhere is a targeted school improvement programme focused on raising the standards of schools that have a large number of Emirati students enrolled.
Her Excellency Aisha Miran, Director General of KHDA said: “Empowering Emiratis with high quality education, enhancing their educational achievements, and embedding Emirati values to strengthen cultural identity and prepare Emirati youth to drive the nation’s future is one of the key goals of the Education 33 strategy.
“The Excel Anywhere initiative highlights our commitment to fostering an inclusive and impactful education sector that will shape the next generation of Emirati leaders. Through E33, we are building an education system that champions quality, innovation, and inclusivity, ensuring every Emirati child has access to exceptional learning and the opportunity to fulfil their highest potential, and contribute positively to Dubai’s future ambitions.”
Targeted support for schools
Seven schools have signed on for the first phase of the school improvement programme. Participating schools include Dubai Schools Al Barsha, Dubai Schools Al Khawaneej, School of Modern Skills Dubai, GEMS Al Barsha National School, Emirates National Schools Dubai, Dubai Modern Education School, and The School of Research Science US High School.
Collectively, the seven schools have 6,500 Emirati students enrolled. The goal of the programme is to help these schools progress to a Good or better rating in an effort to enhance the educational experience for Emirati students and close the gap in academic performance in international assessments between Emirati and non-Emirati students.
Schools in the programme will receive targeted support from a dedicated team at KHDA, which will work with school leaders to implement customised improvement plans and track progress. Each school will be assigned an improvement partner and specialised support teams who will work on focus areas such as student achievement, school leadership and governance, parent engagement, literacy, and teaching standards.
Fatima Bu Ali, the team lead for the school improvement programme at KHDA said: “The school improvement programme aims to provide schools with the structured support they need to make meaningful, measurable progress. KHDA is committed to partnering with schools throughout their improvement journeys, equipping them with targeted resources and expertise to reach new standards of excellence. By creating a programme that provides personalised support and strategic improvement plans, we are working to bridge the achievement gap and give every Emirati student access to a high-quality education.
“Additionally, we believe that a strong partnership between schools and parents is crucial to student success, and we encourage parents to actively engage with the schools to support their children’s educational growth and achievements.”
Commitment from education leaders
Alan Williamson, Chief Executive Officer of Taaleem commented: “Taaleem fully supports the vision outlined by the E33 strategy, which reflects a transformative approach to education in Dubai. It is an honour and a privilege to operate the Dubai Schools in partnership with Knowledge Fund Establishment, and KHDA, working together to make this vision a reality. By focusing on personalised learning journeys and embedding critical skills like creativity and lifelong learning, E33 aligns perfectly with our commitment to fostering an environment where every student can thrive and succeed. This initiative not only prioritises academic excellence but also places immense value on nurturing future-ready learners equipped to navigate an ever-evolving global landscape. We are excited to be part of this journey to make Dubai a global leader in education and innovation.”
Dino Varkey, Group Chief Executive Officer of GEMS Education said: “It is our privilege to support the KHDA’s Excel Anywhere initiative in line with Dubai’s ambitious Education 33 strategy, whose aim of empowering future generations and equipping them to thrive in an ever-evolving world we share and fully support. At GEMS Education, we have always greatly valued the input and guidance of the education regulator, and we are committed to ensuring that our Emirati students fulfil their potential and achieve success. We look forward to working closely together as we continue to raise the standard of education in the emirate ever higher.”
Ahmad Al Bastaki, Deputy Director General of Emirates National Schools added: “KHDA’s initiative to support the development and improvement of private schools that enrol Emirati students is a crucial step in Dubai’s education journey. This initiative is not merely a developmental endeavour; it is a clear message affirming the emirate’s keenness to foster a strong national identity among its students and to provide them with the best opportunities for education and development. We believe that this initiative will drive our private schools towards providing high-quality education that keeps pace with global educational developments and ensures that students acquire the skills and knowledge necessary to meet the challenges of the future. Additionally, the focus on schools that enrol Emirati students strengthens the sense of belonging and loyalty to the nation and instils in students the authentic Emirati values and principles. This initiative reflects a genuine partnership between the public and private sectors and underscores the importance of cooperation to achieve the goals of sustainable development. This initiative will motivate private schools to innovate and develop innovative educational programmes that meet the needs of students and the demands of the job market.
“At Emirates National Schools, we appreciate the efforts made by KHDA to support the journey of education and development in Dubai. We affirm our schools' commitment to working side by side with KHDA to achieve the goals of this initiative, and we strive to provide a stimulating and innovative learning environment that contributes to building a knowledgeable and creative generation capable of leading the future.”
Mohammed Al Shamsi, Board Member of the School of Research Science US High School stated: “At the School of Research Science US High School, we firmly believe that diligent hard work is the true indicator of our commitment to academic excellence for our students across all fields. We collaborate closely with KHDA as a unified team to elevate educational standards, which positively impacts our students’ achievements and contributes to the nation’s progress and advancement. The Excel Anywhere initiative is a tangible manifestation of this purposeful collaboration and a testament to the ongoing efforts between SRS US High School and KHDA to achieve our shared goals.”
Shailesh Doshi, Founder & Chief Executive Officer of AlephYa Education, which manages School of Modern Skills Dubai said: “We are delighted to be selected as one of the schools to partner with KHDA through the Excel Anywhere initiative. This initiative fully aligns with our mission to deliver an exceptional, globally relevant education to our students and our commitment to educational excellence in Dubai. This collaboration will enable us to further enrich our educational offerings, ensuring that we continue to nurture well-rounded Emirati students who are equipped to excel in the future. With KHDA’s support, we are committed to developing the leaders of tomorrow and fostering a learning environment that inspires excellence in every child.”
Hamda Lootah, Chairperson of the Board of Directors of Dubai Modern Education School stated: “I would like to extend my sincere thanks to the Knowledge and Human Development Authority for launching the Excel Anywhere initiative. We aspire to nurture a generation of students whose performance aligns perfectly with Dubai’s aspiration to be a leading city in quality education. We affirm our commitment to join and participate in this initiative to improve the quality of education, which enables Dubai schools to support and empower Emirati students and achieve the vision of We the UAE 2031.”
The E33 strategy is a transformative vision for education in Dubai. It signifies a shift in Dubai’s education ecosystem from a traditional, institution-centric model to one that is learner-centric, adapting to every individual’s needs and aspirations. From early learning, through to higher education and beyond, the E33 strategy will ensure students are well equipped with the skills and opportunities they need to succeed at every stage of their life and be impactful members of Dubai’s future.
Twenty-eight Game Changer initiatives will be rolled out in several phases over the next decade to support the E33 goals, redefine educational experiences and outcomes, and foster innovation and excellence across all levels of education.