KHDA changes Dubai school inspection rules

The KHDA recently gathered more than 185 principals and leaders to inform them of the adjustments.- Alamy Image

Private schools in Dubai will soon experience changes in the way inspections are done, the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) announced on Sunday, September 22.
And one of the key changes is the shortened notice period given to schools prior to inspection day: From the usual three weeks, it will now be down to five working days.
This has been amended following extensive feedback from the community, the authority said.
The KHDA recently gathered more than 185 principals and leaders to inform them of the adjustments that will be made in the 12^th year of inspections, which is set to start next month.
"Private school inspections began in Dubai 11 years ago and this year is very special to us because the graduating class represents a full cohort that has benefited from our policies with substantial improvements in our schools," said Dr Abdulla Al Karam, director-general of the KHDA.
"Our reports have given parents clear and helpful information that reassures them of the quality of education, as well as informs them of their children's future education choices."
Schools that were rated 'Outstanding' or 'Very Good' in the previous cycle will now be subjected to review visits that aim to ensure they continue to provide high-quality education.
Inspectors will also be assessing how schools ensure that Emirati students are making progress towards reaching their potential. Besides evaluating student achievements, they will focus on the extent to which schools are fostering and cultivating Emirati pupils' talents and skills.
The inspections' focus shall remain on priority areas, which include the national agenda, moral education, UAE social studies, innovation, inclusion and reading.
Explaining the changes, Fatma Belrehif, CEO of the Dubai School Inspection Bureau, said: "We have listened to useful feedback from parents, students, teachers, principals and school operators about our school inspections and made some changes to the way we inspect schools. Our inspectors will be spending more time in schools that need more development."
Pre-inspection
New schools in Dubai will continue to benefit from pre-inspection visits until they reach their third year of operation, during which a full evaluation shall be conducted.
Another change is the use of a paperless platform for inspectors, reiterating the KHDA's commitment to minimising the environmental impact of inspection work.
Schools will be expected to rely on more sustainable methods of showcasing their strengths, such as veering away from presenting paper-documents throughout the process.
"We trust that all schools will join us in our effort to make inspections more sustainable. Inspectors will access electronic copies of all documents uploaded by the school onto the DSIB platform and cut down on the use of paper," explained Fatma.
Parents and learners will still be able to read school inspection reports on the KHDA website (www.khda.gov.ae)
Focus areas for 2019 school inspections
1-Social Studies
This is now a key subject and students' attainment across the school will be evaluated
2-National Agenda
Inspectors will measure and monitor each school's improvement towards achieving their individual National Agenda targets
3-Inclusion
Inspectors will continue to increase expectations of the quality of provision provided to students of determination
4-Moral Education
Inspectors will review schools' compliance with the UAE's requirements for moral education, in addition to the school's response to survey data and the impact this has on students' well-being, happiness and moral development
5-Innovation
Further emphasis will be placed on how well the school has embedded innovation across the school's leadership, curriculum, learning and teaching
6-Reading across the curriculum
This year the focus of DSIB will continue to be on reading in all subjects, and the development of students' skills and strategies for reading in English and Arabic as a first language
KEY CHANGES
1-Shorter five-day notice for schools after feedback from the community
2-Greater emphasis on the progress of Emirati students
3-Review visits for schools rated 'Outstanding' and 'Very Good'
reporters@khaleejtimes.com

• Dubai

A Staff Reporter

Got an interesting story to tell in the UAE? We want to hear all about it. Write to the nation's best reporting team, as we cover the emirates like no one else.

reporters@khaleejtimes.com