Dubai private schools urged to aim for greater success

Abdulla Al Karam, told a meeting of senior teachers in Dubai that further improvements could be made. Victor Besa for The National

DUBAI // Private schools in the emirate have been urged to build on the success of international benchmarking results to push for even greater success.

Better performing schools did well in the latest round of Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (Timss) and Programme for International Student Assessment (Pisa) tests.

The 2015 Timss assessments showed improvement for Emirati pupils across the board, with Grade 4 pupils performing better than their Grade 8 colleagues in science and maths.

In the 2015 Pisa tests, Dubai schools achieved similar results to schools in 20 high-performing countries, in reading and in science.

Abdulla Al Karam, director general of the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), told a gathering of principals at the education regulator’s headquarters on Monday that more improvements could be made.

“Dubai is known as having a range of world-class services for things like tourism, so why can’t education be part of that,” he said. “All the schools will receive their individual Pisa and Timss results in March, and it will be an opportunity for them to evaluate where they are and what more can be done.”

An important factor in raising standards has been the introduction of the National Agenda.

It aims for the UAE to be among the top 20 countries globally for Pisa tests, and to be among the top 15 in Timss tests by 2021.

This standardised framework provides a yardstick for schools, said Mr Al Karam.

Timss Grade 8 pupils got marks of a similar level to schools in the 15 high-performing countries.

“Creativity and innovation together with positive education have had an impact on students and teachers in Dubai and this is reflected in the international assessment results,” said Mr Al Karam.

“A positive learning environment at school can support academic achievement and promote the well-being of students and teachers.”

However, from next year schools will have to be prepared for a shift in how Pisa and Timss assessments are carried out.

“From 2018, Pisa will return to a focus on reading as a domain and that can be a real challenge for students,” said Rabaa Al Sumaiti, executive director of international assessments at KHDA. “And Timss will move to more computer-based testing, which will require pupils to be proficient in problem-solving in the sciences and maths.

“These changes will be a challenge for schools so it is important that they look at how they can make changes, if required. Each will be given an individualised set of targets based on how they did in the international benchmarking tests,” said Ms Al Sumaiti.

The KHDA’s lighthouse project, which encourages schools to learn from each other and schools in other countries, is one of the ways best practice is being shared.

David Hicks, principal of Emirates International School, said schools in Dubai had developed a culture of sharing knowledge.

“Our focus is on what is best for the pupil, and so in that respect we are in contact with other schools through various KHDA events and see what works and what doesn’t,” he said.

Ahmad Rawashdeh, principal of Al Khaleej National School, said staff were focused on changing attitudes towards international assessments.

“In the past pupils have perhaps not been aware or shown interest in the importance of this testing, but that is changing,” he said. “Our focus is to develop innovation, creativity and problem-solving skills among our students and to do that we are introducing skills mentors who work with students.”