Now a guidebook for Dubai schools

Just days before the beginning of the new academic year, the Dubai Schools Inspection Bureau (DSIB) has formulated a guidebook highlighting quality indicators to prep schools for the annual inspections.

“This handbook is essential in guiding schools’ self-evaluations and making sure they are focused on the quality of provision they provide,” says Jameela Al Muhairi, Chief of DSIB.

“Our pursuit of high quality education for all children in Dubai will continue and we will spare no effort in raising schools’ awareness of how this goal can be achieved.”

The book has been designed in consultation with principals, teachers and parents in Dubai.

Stronger emphasis will be placed on the quality of support schools provide for students with special education needs, as well as on the progress these students make in all subjects.

“There will also be a continued focus on how well Emirati students perform in private schools,” read the handbook, which is made available to view and download on the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) website.

“The government of Dubai is keen on maintaining a strong focus on the outcome of all groups of students. It is especially interested in how Emirati students perform. Accordingly, all inspectors will continue to have a focus on Emirati students as a distinct group.”

Schools will now have to provide more comprehensive data about all groups of students, concentrating on the academic progress and achievements of Emirati students.

Schools will also provide a self-evaluation form, which along with the previous year’s inspection report, will be the starting point of this year’s inspection. The self-evaluation form needs to be submitted ahead of the specified school visit.

The seven key areas that the DSIB inspection will tackle are: the students’ progress, their personal and social development, the teaching, the curriculum and whether it meets the needs of its students, the school student support, the school management, and the overall performance of the school.

Some parents insist the school inspection will work more effectively if surprise checks are conducted. “Since the schools are informed about the date of inspection, they are well prepared. The school often wears a different picture on the inspection day than on the regular days,” insisted Rita Kumar, an Indian parent.

Another parent claimed that most school work is left abandoned as teachers are more concerned about the inspection. “The students are at a loss. To avoid such situations, the DSIB should conduct surprised checks to see how the schools actually function on a normal day.”

Last year’s inspection result had prompted an increase in school fees based on the ratings. Schools marked “outstanding” are permitted 6 per cent hike, while schools ranked “good” are allowed 4.5 per cent and those marked “acceptable” and “unsatisfactory” at 3 per cent.

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