Tuition fee framework for private schools in the making

While the fee decision for the academic 2011-12 has been announced, the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) is working on a long term tuition fee framework for private schools in Dubai.

As part of the engagement process, KHDA initiated a survey among parents that is connected with the factors relating to the fee framework.

Parents opinion is valuable and their engagement is crucial for KHDA’s decision-making.

Indian School Inspection Results reveal good news for thousands of students

The results of the second year of inspections for the 21 Indian schools in Dubai tell a story of hard work and improvement, the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) announced today.

The results for the academic year 2010-2011 were: 11 schools have been categorized as Good; seven are acceptable; and three remain Unsatisfactory. None was found to be Outstanding, but some schools have attained “Good with Outstanding features”. Read more

International assessments will take place in Dubai’s schools early in 2011

A training workshop in Hamburg, Germany, has just been completed in preparation for international assessments which will take place in Dubai’s schools early in 2011.

The Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) will administer both TIMSS and PIRLS between February and April 2011, involving around 13,000 of Dubai’s pupils. A field trial for both was completed earlier this year.

A member of staff from KHDA attended the Hamburg workshop in data management, which was run by the International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement (IEA), to ensure that all the administration during the assessments is to international standards. Read more

Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) launches new e-Services on website

The Regulations and Compliance Commission (RCC) of the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) has launched its e-Services through its website www.khda.gov.ae. E-Services will make it possible for KHDA customers to access permit related processes through the KHDA website and track their requests online. E-Services will cover all customers’ applications for issuance of new permits for educational services as well as the renewal, amendment of permits. This will help eliminate the need for customers to visit KHDA for such requests. Read more

Dubai US Curriculum Schools not matching The American Education System standards

According to the Dubai Schools Inspection Bureau (DSIB) annual report, which was made public on the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) website today, many schools that claim to provide a n US curriculum fail to meet prescribed criteria.

There are 30 US curriculum in Dubai and ¨only seven have been found to offer a curriculum with the choice and diversity that is required by the American  education system. The curriculum in  23 of the 30 schools fall far short of what would be required in the US. Very few can be said to offer a curriculum with the choice and diversity that are hallmarks of a genuine US school.”

Most “American” schools fell in the ”Acceptable” and ”Unsatisfactory” category in the second cycle of inspections that were concluded this year. Read more

Concerns over quality of education at UK schools in Dubai

According to the Dubai Schools Inspection Bureau (DSIB) annual report, which was made public on the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) website today, many schools that claim to provide a British curriculum fail to meet prescribed criteria.

While 12 UK curriculum schools in Dubai showed marked improvement, 12 declined in rank and 25 schools retained their grades from the first inspection cycle. Two were rated as ‘Outstanding’ in the recently concluded inspections.

The 2010 annual education report states that some schools that claim to follow the English National Curriculum do not offer the full range and content of the curriculum. They do not employ the framework of attainment targets to measure and benchmark their students’ progress against those in other schools. Read more

KHDA announces The Second Dubai Schools Inspection Bureau Annual Report

KHDA published the second Dubai Schools Inspection Bureau (DSIB) Annual Report which details the progress made by schools since the start of inspections in 2008.  The Annual Report provides an overview of the strengths of schools in Dubai and areas requiring improvement in both public and private schools. The report identifies a number of success stories and describes how KHDA is working with all schools to help improve the standard of education in Dubai.

Comparing the first and second annual reports, Dr Abdulla Al Karam, Chairman of the Board of Directors and Director General of KHDA explained that the first cycle of inspections provided comprehensive information regarding the performance of schools in Dubai. The second cycle measured the progress that has been made in the schools.

Dr Abdulla Al Karam stated that the report describes the efforts that public and private schools have made to raise their standards. He added; “All of us have the responsibility to help improve education and everyone shares in the task to support the schools in our community. The progress made by schools during last year is encouraging and we are looking forward to seeing further improvements in the future. KHDA and schools share this responsibility”. Read more

Results of the Shool Inspection in Dubai released

The results of the second year of school inspections in Dubai are released today and can be viewed on KHDA’s website: www.khda.gov.ae

They reveal few changes to the categories schools have achieved but a healthy level of progress within schools.

For the academic year 2009-2010, 209 public and private schools with a total of 202,441 pupils were inspected by the Dubai Schools Inspection Bureau (DSIB). Among these schools, 23 Indian and Pakistani schools were inspected for the first time this year (their results were announced last February). Read more

Official Dubai school assessments to be released in May

236 inspectors visited 210 schools since October 2009

According to a statement by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), inspectors have completed the second year of their inspections of Dubai’s schools, both public and private.

They completed the cycle on Thursday and their results will be published by May. This year, the Dubai Schools Inspection Bureau (DSIB) has also given every parent the opportunity to give their assessment of their child’s school. Parents have completed 52,707 questionnaires, which will be analysed by the DSIB and their findings will be made public. Read more

School Fee Cap makes Sense

Parents may soon breath a sigh of relief as Dubai’s school authority clamps down on rising education costs. The Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) has sent a letter to private schools questioning an anticipated increase in yearly fees. The letter asked the schools: “Do you really need a fee increase at a time when inflation is low and almost all other costs have dropped too?” Read more