Quality of private education in Dubai high, say parents, pupils, teachers and principals

70,000 pupils, parents and educators take part in KHDA survey.

DUBAI // The quality of Dubai’s private education has been given a resounding vote of confidence by parents, pupils, teachers and principals.

More than 70,000 people took part in an annual online survey conducted by Dubai’s school regulator, the Knowledge and Human Development Authority.

The results from last year, some of which were released by KHDA on Monday, show that 87 per cent of parents, 89 per cent of pupils, 96 per cent of teachers and 97 per cent of principals are “satisfied with the quality of education available at my school”.

An overwhelming majority of parents, at 95 per cent, also agree that “my child enjoys life at school” and 92 per cent said “the teachers provide good-quality education to my child”.

But pupils are apparently not as satisfied with their teachers as their parents, with 84 per cent agreeing that “most of my teachers are skilled and well-qualified”.

By far most pupils, 93 per cent, say: “I am learning to become a productive and positive member of the community”.

Rhadika Marwaha, 15, at Delhi Private School in The Gardens, says she is not surprised by her peers’ answers to the survey questions.

“We really like the education we get. We are very happy with it. At least, the CBSE schools are good,” Rhadika says. “We have so many initiatives and we do so much in our schools that I think we are becoming good members of the community.”

The survey has helped the KHDA to identify shortcomings in the private-school system and that has prompted new programming and regulations, says Hind Al Mualla, chief of engagement.

The Parent-School contract, a legal agreement between parents, pupils and schools that clearly outlines policies including those against bullying, was launched as a result of past surveys.

Since the initiatives were introduced, 80 per cent of children agree that their schools deal well with bullying, 81 per cent say they are treated fairly in their schools, and 93 per cent agree that they are safe and well looked after.

The results have also helped guide KHDA inspectors during annual school visits.

“When the inspection team goes to the school they want to have a better understanding of the schools from the people involved,” says Mrs Al Mualla.

“They have a better or more informed point of view.”

KHDA will distribute 220,000 surveys this year.

The first batch has already been issued to about 110,000 people, including more than 7,500 teachers, about 90,000 parents, 67 principals and more than 15,000 pupils.

“It feeds into different areas in how we can improve the quality of education and the more responses we have, the better,” says Mrs Al Mualla. “That’s why we are encouraging everybody to participate.”