ABU DHABI // Inspectors are carrying out unannounced spot checks to ensure that private schools in Abu Dhabi comply with education policy on Arabic language teaching and UAE culture.
Compliance officers from Abu Dhabi Education Council observe the schools’ morning assembly, translation department, public displays of Emirati culture and Arabic language, UAE social studies and Islamic education classrooms.
“We had the same officer visiting us twice this year,” said one official at a school that was praised for its well-organised assembly, translation and singing of the national anthem.
“They go and check on the display board. If it’s related to the UAE, they’re going to go and check on classes, do class observation, check on the teacher. We do expect them always, because anytime they can pop in.”
All private schools are required to teach Islamic education, Arabic language and UAE social studies.
Muslim pupils must take Islamic education from Grades 1 to 12, but the subject is optional for non-Muslims. UAE social studies is a compulsory subject from Grade 1 to Grade 9 for all pupils whether Arab or not.
Arabic language is a compulsory subject from Grade 1 to the end of the secondary stage for all native Arabic speakers. For non-Arabic speakers, it is compulsory from Grade 1 to Grade 10 and optional for higher grades.
Adec’s policy is based on Ministry of Education regulations.
One of Abu Dhabi’s newer schools, Cranleigh, has had to change its curriculum after a compliance inspection. The number of subjects taught to GCSE level will be reduced by one to create room for Arabic.
“Starting in the 2016-2017 academic year, students entering Year 10 will be required to study Arabic language in line with the Ministry of Education guidelines,” said headmaster Brendan Law.
All private schools in Abu Dhabi have a scheduled inspection about once every two academic years, and the results are posted on Adec’s website.
However, “the council may inspect any school at any time as it sees necessary”, Adec said.
Periodic inspections can fall into one of three categories: unannounced visits; a monitoring inspection for schools identified as weak or very weak; and themed inspections, which “focus on one particular aspect of a school, such as the teaching of a particular subject, the achievement of a particular group of students, or the impact of information technology and its applications on learning”.
In Dubai, Arabic language classes are compulsory for all non-Arab students up to and including Grade 9.
“In principle I think that learning the language of your host nation is an excellent idea. A recent UK study by the British Council ranked Arabic as the third most influential language that British citizens could learn on account of the commercial and political influence of the Middle East,” said Michael Lambert, headmaster of Dubai College.
“To provide high quality Arabic to our students is a gift.”
rpennington@thenational.ae