Best-performing Dubai schools to help others through new project

DUBAI // Top-performing schools in Dubai are being encouraged to share their know-how with others as part of a new initiative to raise standards in poorer-performing schools.

The Abundance Group Project launched by the emirate’s education regulator, the Knowledge and Human Development Authority, aims to create long-term learning partnerships between schools.

“At this stage, we believe it is essential to map out a different way forward; a smarter approach that makes good use of the abundant knowledge, skills and talents our schools have, and enables them to share these with others in Dubai,” said Dr Abdulla Al Karam, director general of the KHDA.

The project will focus on bringing in schools that have been rated “Very Good” and “Outstanding” to work with less well-performing schools.

The best-performing schools will also be given the option of conducting “differentiated” inspections, based on self-evaluation, to allow them to focus their resources on giving back to other schools.

“We are confident that schools in Dubai will continue to improve in future, and we trust in the commitment to excellence that our highest-achieving schools have shown,” added Dr Al Karam.

Schools interested in taking part in the project will be invited to attend a design-thinking session at the start of the next academic year in September.

The Abundance Group has been created to complement the What Works and the Lighthouse projects, which are initiatives designed to enable collaboration and a greater focus on positive education in Dubai.

The move is in line with the KHDA’s support of the UAE National Agenda, Dubai Future Agenda and the overarching Dubai Expo 2020 theme of “connecting minds, creating the future”.

The number of schools that have been rated Good or better has risen to 29 in the 2015-16 year, up from four in 2008-09.