Changes to Ministry of Education schools implemented

The most important of these amendments is the deduction of five points from the end-of-year average for pupils whose absenteeism rate exceeds seven per cent of the number of school days.

DUBAI // The Ministry of Education has introduced 13 amendments to its assessment and examination system for the 2016-2017 academic year.

The changes will affect public and private schools introducing the curriculum designed by the ministry.

The most important of these amendments is the deduction of five points from the end-of-year average for pupils who are absent for more than 7 per cent of school days.

Other changes include the pass level at Grades 10, 11 and 12 being raised from 50 to 60 per cent, although it remains at 50 per cent for younger years.

The assessment and examination policy manual that was recently published says a continuous assessment system is in place for Grade 1 up to Grade 12, and pupils will also be subjected to central tests prepared by ministry teams.

Other amendments include calculating the continuous assessment grade in English in the third school term for Grade 12 pupils from the Cepa examination grade, and then subjecting all 12th graders to an exam set by the ministry.

Garde 1 and 2 pupils will also be assessed with tests in Arabic, mathematics, sciences and English, while first to sixth graders will be given diagnostic tests in Arabic and maths.