Head teachers at Dubai’s private schools have said a pause in inspections this year will give them more time to focus on teaching and learning without added pressure.
Private schools in Dubai will not undergo full inspections during the next 2024-2025 academic year, a first since the practice was introduced in 2008.
The exception will be schools that will complete only their third year of operation, or fewer, in the next academic year.
The decision applies only to the 2024-25 academic year, the Knowledge and Human Development Authority said.
Updates on future inspection cycles will be announced next year.
Glen Radojkovich, director of education at Taaleem, said: "While this strategic hiatus occurs it will provide schools with a unique opportunity to focus deeply on the teaching and learning process, fostering a less inspection-pressured environment, that is conducive to meaningful educational improvements.
“Schools will be able to dedicate more time and resources to implementing their development and improvement plans, which will ultimately benefit students' academic experiences.
“Parents can also take comfort in knowing that the reduced inspection frequency will allow educators to concentrate more on delivering quality education rather than rigorously focusing on preparing for annual inspections.”
He said the move was a progressive step aligned with international best practices, supporting schools in achieving sustained excellence.
Previously, many private schoolteachers have told The National they often worked up to 70 hours a week, especially ahead of annual inspections.
“This decision aims to support the teaching and learning process for students and gives schools the opportunity to implement changes to support their development and improvement plans,” said a KHDA representative.
“KHDA will continue to monitor the quality of education, and inspectors will conduct quality assurance visits that target specific focus areas to monitor schools’ progress on improvement plans during the next academic year."
Fees unaffected
The pause will not mean school fees will remain frozen for 2024-25.
In Dubai, these are guided by the Schools Fee Framework, according to which the rate by which charges can be adjusted is tied to the recent inspection rating.
Any fee adjustment needs KHDA approval.
Rashmi Nandkeolyar, principal at Delhi Private School Dubai, said the pause in inspection would allow flexibility to schools to embed any new programme they have undertaken.
She said inspections were stressful for teachers and a pause would benefit their well-being.
“If the inspection comes too quickly, sometimes there is a feeling by the inspection board or by the schools that the programme is in its infancy so there are no results to show and no evidence to show that it is successful,” said Ms Nandkeolyar.
“A recommendation [by Dubai Schools Inspection Bureau - DSIB] made in one particular year cannot be deeply implemented by the next inspection cycle unless it is a very small tweak.
“I think that schools at the moment are not thinking of whether the fees will increase or not, I think we are thinking of how it will positively effect our working. In many ways, it gives us a little more time to work also because inspections do take up a lot of administrative and school time."
She said that schools could request to be inspected but left a window for institutions to show they had improved.
David Flint, principal at South View School, said his institution had been rated "good" by KHDA, and he would be making a special request for an inspection this year, as he believed it has the potential to reach "very good".
“In terms of the inspection, the pause allows schools to consolidate what they're doing and develop their trajectory of improvement in a constructive way informed by data," he said.
The gap between inspection would means schools would have more chance to use data to demonstrate improvement, he added.
“If you've got a two or three year-break, you've essentially got more sets of external exam results to demonstrate the quality of the school and that is a distinct advantage for schools that are seeking to strongly improve," said Mr Flint.
“Certainly as a school that is now on the cusp of a very good rating, we are ready to be inspected and we will be requesting that we are inspected again next year.”
He said if the school was able to improve to a very good rating, staff would then use the next two to three years to consolidate that classification and build on it to try to achieve the next rating of outstanding.
This year, the DSIB team will conduct quality assurance visits that target focus areas to monitor schools’ progress on improvement plans during the next academic year.
Schools that wish to undergo a full inspection may submit a request, which will be subject to review and approval upon KHDA’s discretion.
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Pupils in the garden at Dubai British School, which has been ranked as outstanding by the KHDA. Antonie Robertson / The National -
Victory Heights Primary School in Sports City has been steadily improving over the years. Pawan Singh / The National -
Founded in 2015, Dubai British School Jumeirah Park is one of the leading schools in the city. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
The Gems Wellington International School in Al Sufouh offers both the UK curriculum and the International Baccalaureate diploma programme. Lee Hoagland / The National -
The Dubai British School at Emirates Hills. Jeffrey E. Birteng / The National -
Jumeirah English Speaking School at Al Safa 1 in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National -
Pupils open their A-Level results at Gems Jumeirah College, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
The Nord Anglia International School Dubai. Photo: Nord Anglia International School Dubai -
Dubai English Speaking School, one of the oldest in the country, established in 1963. Ruel Pableo for The National -
Repton School in Dubai, founded in 2007. Photo: Repton Dubai -
Gems Modern Academy at Nad Al Sheba 3 is the only Indian school rated outstanding in the city. Victor Besa/ The National. -
Deira International School is among those ranked as outstanding by Dubai's education authority. Photo: Deira International School -
Safa Community School is one of three schools added to the list of those recognised as outstanding by Dubai's education authority. Photo: Safa Community School -
Kings' School in Al Barsha also achieved the coveted outstanding grade. Antonie Robertson/The National -
Kings' School Dubai is among the most highly rated in the city. Photo: Kings' School Dubai -
Dubai International Academy in Al Barsha. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Dubai International Academy in Emirates Hills is also on the list of outstanding schools. -
Pupils at Gems Dubai American Academy, the only American curriculum school to be ranked outstanding. Reem Mohammed/The National -
The Lycee Francais International Georges Pompidou school, in Oud Metha, was another new name added to Dubai's most highly ranked schools. Pawan Singh / The National -
Dubai College in Al Sufouh, Dubai. Photo: Dubai College -
Football training at the Dubai English Speaking College in Academic City. Pawan Singh / The National -
Gems Jumeirah Primary School was also ranked among the outstanding schools in Dubai. -
Horizon English School and Horizon International School were also ranking high among Dubai schools.
