Workshop on new school model

Workshops on the NSM have been held in each region by the Abu Dhabi Education Council (Adec), with 39 principals attending from Abu Dhabi, 49 from Al Ain and 15 from the Western Region.

The NSM was introduced in 2010 to develop creativity, critical thinking and problem-solving skills among students at all public schools in the emirate.

As part of the introductory process, the principals visited kindergarten to Grade 5 schools, which allowed them to interact with students and fellow teachers to understand the difference the NSM had introduced in their schools.

“The Emirate of Abu Dhabi is in the process of transforming education. Students are no longer expected to memorise and repeat what they read. Students are now expected to search for information, and make the effort to find a solution to a problem. It’s all about applied knowledge, and that’s exactly what the NSM tries to accomplish,” Adec’s Curriculum Division manager Dr Karima Almazroui said.

Cluster managers, in collaboration with the Adec’s Professional Development and P-12 Sector, have developed a mentoring and training programme to help principals in this process.

“School leaders are an instrumental part of the change process in education, and thus great importance is placed on the training and support of principals for the NSM,” Almazroui said.

Principals will attend a total of four workshops till the end of the year to familiarise themselves with the new system.

olivia@khaleejtimes.com