Abu Dhabi schools' performance by 78%

83 schools out of the total 191 have improved since the previous round of inspections

Abu Dhabi - Adek provides quality education opportunities at a reasonable fee structure, while improving all education aspects

By Staff Reporter

Published: Sat 16 Sep 2017, 7:58 PM

Last updated: Sat 16 Sep 2017, 10:03 PM

Inspection results from Abu Dhabi private schools have shown a 78 percent improvement rate in school performance, according to the Department of Education and Knowledge.
The results from round four Irtiqa'a inspection of private schools representing the 2015-16 and 2016-17 academic year show that 83 schools out of the total 191 have improved since the previous round, representing a 78 percent improvement rate amongst schools.
The Private Schools and Quality Assurance (PSQA) sector at the Department of Education and Knowledge (Adek; formerly the Abu Dhabi Education Council) also announced that schools that have ranked "Outstanding" or "Very Good" over three consecutive inspection rounds will only be inspected once every four years from now on, instead of once every two years, effective from the 2017-18 academic year.
Dr Ali Rashid Al Nuaimi, Adek chairman and member of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council said: "Adek aims to elevate the overall quality of education in schools through encouraging critical thinking, teamwork, innovation, problem solving and ICT skills, while enhancing national identity and preserving the UAE culture and traditions."
Al Nuaimi lauded efforts exerted in the private schools sector by Adek, who have provided quality education opportunities at a reasonable fee structure, while improving all education aspects by raising the overall efficiency of teachers, ensuring the provision of an improved curriculum, and providing various investment opportunities.

Future of education
Education is a focus in the UAE's diversification. The thrust is on innovation and creative thinking. Abu Dhabi schools are fared well thus far. This is learning for the new millennium, where schools are being tested to see if they meet the needs of the youth who are the future of the country.

"The construction of school buildings, provision of facilities and educational, health and social services, the creation of a safe environment for learning and the implementation of a unified system for the evaluation of schools, has played a significant role in elevating their overall performance," said Al Nuaimi.
Leading the way
According to the newly released inspection results, 40 percent of schools are performing good and above in three core performance standards, including; students achievement, teaching and assessment and leadership and management. Those schools however are requested to provide support for low performing schools as an indicator of PSQA's trust and confidence in their overall performance.
The decision was made alongside the round four inspection result announcement for private schools across the emirate that have shown tremendous progress, with an evident 47 percent improvement from the last inspection results.
Hamad Al Dhaheri, Adek and PSQA sectors executive director, said: "Results from the inspection round four are promising and just go to show the tremendous effort exerted by most of the schools, who have partnered with Adek to achieve overall improvement in education."
Al Dhaheri re-emphasised the fact that improvement has almost doubled since the previous inspection round, which shows how important a joint partnership is amongst all parties concerned.
According to the inspection results, 39 percent (75 out of 191 schools) are high performing or 'B and A' schools, while 39 percent (74 out of 191 schools) are satisfactory or 'B and B' schools and 22 percent (42 out of 191 schools) are in need of significant improvement or 'B and C' schools.
There are 39 percent high performing schools (good and above) compared to 14 percent in round three, out of which four schools are outstanding, 17 very good schools, 54 good schools, 74 acceptable schools, 35 weak schools and 7 very weak schools.
Meanwhile, the percentage of B and C schools dropped between the two inspections rounds from 46 percent to 22 percent.
Adek stressed on creating a culture filled with transparency and credibility for schools and parents, through a comprehensive assessment and evaluation process that covers all aspects of education, including services provided by each school.
The fifth round of inspections for the 2017-19 academic school years has started in September 2017.
ismail@khaleejtimes.com