65% students attend schools rated good or better
More than 10,000 students joined good or better schools
Over half of all Indian curriculum schools (54%) meet or exceed National Agenda expectations
A new school inspection key messages report by the Dubai School Inspection Bureau (DSIB) has outlined improvements in Indian curriculum schools marked by sustaining good school leadership and improving early years learning.
Of the 30 Indian curriculum schools inspected in Dubai during the 2016-17 inspection cycle, two were rated outstanding, three very good, 10 good, 11 acceptable and four were found to be weak. None of the Indian curriculum schools were rated as very weak.
Dr Abdulla Al Karam, Director General of Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) said, “We are continuing to see improvements in leadership in Indian curriculum schools which will have a significant impact as we work towards achieving UAE National Agenda goals. Moving forward, the schools will work together and collaborate by sharing expertise to enable a better quality of education for every student in Dubai.”
This year’s inspection findings indicate that 65% of students in Indian curriculum schools now attend schools that are rated good or better, compared to 45% when inspections started in 2009. More than 10,000 students joined good or better schools in 2016
The performance of students attending Indian curriculum schools has improved significantly in international assessments. In TIMSS 2015, Indian curriculum schools in Dubai have ranked as the highest performing curriculum in Grade 4 science, and second highest performing curriculum in Grade 4 mathematics.
Fatma Belrehif, Executive Director of the DSIB said, “Over the last eight years of school inspection, we have seen greater improvements in schools that benefit from good leadership. Through our inspections, we will continue to focus on strong leadership, a positive culture, good teaching and rigorous assessment systems. We will do so because getting these things right is what leads to better outcomes for all students.”
A special section dedicated to the National Agenda is included in all school inspection reports. Highlighting the school’s progress towards meeting the National Agenda targets. The section provides details of internal initiatives implemented to achieve school targets. 54 per cent of schools met or exceed National Agenda expectations with all inspected schools participating in the national agenda parameter.
Key inspection indicators show important improvements over time in the provision for students with Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND). The report emphasises the responsibility of governing bodies and school leaders at all levels in making sure they facilitate an inclusive culture in their schools.
To give all schools every chance of improving, KHDA also introduced the abundance initiative last year, which is a mutually beneficial alliance of schools committed to sharing knowledge and practices with others in Dubai.
Every parent in Dubai’s Indian curriculum schools received a report on their child’s school in an e-mail sent by the Director General of KHDA. To read the full report, visit the KHDA website (http://www.khda.gov.ae/en/publications)
Other key messages highlighted in the report:
- Good leaders are the key to good schools
- Indian curriculum schools have embraced the spirit of the UAE National Agenda
- Governing bodies and school leaders at all levels have a responsibility to facilitate an inclusive culture
- Early years provision is improving
Indian Curriculum Schools in Dubai at a glance
- Total number of Indian curriculum schools: 33
- Number of students in Indian curriculum schools: 79,844
- Number of Indian curriculum schools inspected this academic year: 30
- Number of students in the 30 Indian curriculum schools inspected: 78,415
- Number of students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND): 2,823
- Number of Indian curriculum schools inspected for the first time this academic year: 2
- Number of teachers in Indian curriculum schools: 3920 teachers
- Number of teaching assistants: 464
- Number of guidance counsellors: 54
– KHDA Media
