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Dubai is working towards a holistic educational system that will begin before a child starts school.
The Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) is tasked with supplying a qualified workforce to cater to Dubai’s growing needs, as well as raising the aspirations of Nationals and encouraging them to regard learning as a lifelong pursuit.
 
To this end, the KHDA met with the Ministry of Education to explain its strategy and outline its projects so that the two bodies can move forward in full co-operation with the same goals.
 
HE Rashed Al Nuaimi, the Ministry’s Director-General, visited KHDA’s office in Dubai Academic City to meet heads of departments. He was briefed about the achievements of the Dubai Schools Agency, which has successfully transferred the employees of the previous Dubai Educational Zone to become the Administrative Services Unit (ASU) of the Authority.
 
Fatma Al Marri, the CEO of the Dubai Schools Agency, told the meeting: “This transfer is the highlight of our achievements. Our ASU employees have received training, and have received the ISO 90001:2000, the first Government education department in the Middle East to win this certificate.
 
She added, “We look forward to more achievements now, with the establishment of the School Support Unit, Dubai Schools Inspection Bureau, and improving our relations through licensing and partnerships.”
 
He Rashed Al Nuaimi said that the co-ordination between KHDA and the Ministry is on-going with regards to administration, as well as establishing means by which the two authorities can work together for the betterment of both public and private schools in Dubai.
 
He said the formation of the Dubai Schools Inspection Bureau is a positive step towards supporting the performance of public schools. He added that it would also enhance the connections between school and home to support and monitor a student’s academic work.
He praised the Early Learning agency that will be established by KHDA, and emphasized that parents have an important role to play in developing the education system in Dubai. The KHDA’s Innovation Unit, he added, under Hind Al Mualla, will be critical in coming up with creative ideas for the future.
 
Dr Abdulla Al Karam, Chairman of the Board of Directors and Director-General at the KHDA, said that around 8,000-10,000 students in public and private schools will participate in PISA assessments this May, to see how well Dubai’s 15-year-olds are equipped for adult life, while TIMSS assessments (which measure proficiency in science and mathematics) have already been carried out. “The aim of these tests,” Dr Abdulla said, “is to know where the schools of Dubai stand internationally, as they assess students based on internationally-adopted criteria.” Once the quality of Dubai’s education is measured accurately, then necessary improvements to the education system can begin.

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