ABU DHABI // The capital’s British schools will not be required to follow a new curriculum being introduced in England until it is more widely established.
“All English curriculum schools will continue applying the old curriculum standards without disruption and they will be helped by our improvement team to apply the old national curriculum standards,” said a spokesman for Abu Dhabi Education Council.
The new curriculum for primary and secondary schools in England will be launched in September 2014. It will have a phased implementation with some pupils at state-run schools remaining on the old curriculum until the summer of 2015 while revisions are made to key stage tests or Sats.
The new curriculum will place greater emphasis on skills such as essay writing, problem solving, mathematical modelling and computer programming.
“When the new curriculum is applied at schools in the UK, Adec’s school improvement and licensing and accreditation teams will monitor its implementation before requesting any changes in Abu Dhabi schools,” said Adec.
“We will have selected schools monitor the implementation of the new curriculum and then plan for a smooth transition when the new curriculum is applied on a larger scale in the UK,” said the spokesman.
According to Adec’s 2012-2013 figures there are 37 British schools in Abu Dhabi.
The Knowledge and Human Development Authority in Dubai has said whether to implement the new curriculum would be up to individual schools.
The new curriculum, described by the British prime minister David Cameron as a “revolution in education”, will require children aged five to learn basic fractions while nine-year-olds will be expected to know their 12-times tables.
It has been attacked by the Association of Teachers and Lecturers union in the UK, which claims it will not “foster a passion for learning” and that its content is not age appropriate.
The union also described the timetable for its implementation as “completely unrealistic”.
wissa@thenational.ae
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The biog
First Job: Abu Dhabi Department of Petroleum in 1974
Current role: Chairperson of Al Maskari Holding since 2008
Career high: Regularly cited on Forbes list of 100 most powerful Arab Businesswomen
Achievement: Helped establish Al Maskari Medical Centre in 1969 in Abu Dhabi’s Western Region
Future plan: Will now concentrate on her charitable work
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The bio
Who inspires you?
I am in awe of the remarkable women in the Arab region, both big and small, pushing boundaries and becoming role models for generations. Emily Nasrallah was a writer, journalist, teacher and women’s rights activist
How do you relax?
Yoga relaxes me and helps me relieve tension, especially now when we’re practically chained to laptops and desks. I enjoy learning more about music and the history of famous music bands and genres.
What is favourite book?
The Perks of Being a Wallflower - I think I've read it more than 7 times
What is your favourite Arabic film?
Hala2 Lawen (Translation: Where Do We Go Now?) by Nadine Labaki
What is favourite English film?
Mamma Mia
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Match info:
Manchester City 2
Sterling (8'), Walker (52')
Newcastle United 1
Yedlin (30')
U19 World Cup in South Africa
Group A: India, Japan, New Zealand, Sri Lanka
Group B: Australia, England, Nigeria, West Indies
Group C: Bangladesh, Pakistan, Scotland, Zimbabwe
Group D: Afghanistan, Canada, South Africa, UAE
UAE fixtures
Saturday, January 18, v Canada
Wednesday, January 22, v Afghanistan
Saturday, January 25, v South Africa
UAE squad
Aryan Lakra (captain), Vriitya Aravind, Deshan Chethyia, Mohammed Farazuddin, Jonathan Figy, Osama Hassan, Karthik Meiyappan, Rishabh Mukherjee, Ali Naseer, Wasi Shah, Alishan Sharafu, Sanchit Sharma, Kai Smith, Akasha Tahir, Ansh Tandon
What is Genes in Space?
Genes in Space is an annual competition first launched by the UAE Space Agency, The National and Boeing in 2015.
It challenges school pupils to design experiments to be conducted in space and it aims to encourage future talent for the UAE’s fledgling space industry. It is the first of its kind in the UAE and, as well as encouraging talent, it also aims to raise interest and awareness among the general population about space exploration.