More than eight out of 10 private schools in Abu Dhabi scored the highest rating available during assessments of distance learning standards.
Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (Adek), which oversees private schools in the emirate, said 146 out of 173 schools evaluated 984 per cent) earned the top 'developed' rating with 27 private schools rated ‘partially developed’ (16 per cent) and none rated ‘not developed’.
More than two thirds of private schools in Dubai also received the 'developed' rating.
The Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), Dubai's private schools regulator, revealed 67 per cent of schools were ranked 'developed' under the Distance Learning Evaluation (DLE).
A further 32 per cent of schools received a 'partially developed' score, with only one per cent marked 'not developed'.
“I am proud of the collective efforts of schools, teachers and parents in adapting to a very challenging education environment,” said Sara Musallam, chair of Adek.
“Before the closure of schools, we identified organization, collaboration and inclusion as our three core process metrics, and we worked diligently with parents and partners across the education ecosystem to ensure vital Distance Learning programs could be implemented and the results reflect that.”
KHDA said schools which were rated outstanding or very good by the Dubai Schools Inspection Bureau in the 2018-19 academic year were found to have offered the highest level of distance learning.
Distance learning was implemented across the Emirates in March when schools closed their doors to stem the spread of Covid-19.
Dr Abdulla Al Karam, KHDA's director general, applauded the efforts of teachers, pupils and parents during a challenging period for the education sector.
“Earlier this year, school leaders, teachers, parents and students in Dubai had to respond very quickly to a completely new way of teaching and learning," he said.
"They’ve shown great resilience, commitment and love during this period, and we’re grateful for their effort.
“The DLE was put in place to give us a common language and measure to talk about the quality of distance education.
"Because schools will provide options of face-to-face and distance learning in the next academic year, the DLE will help parents to get a complete picture of the quality of education their children are receiving, and will help schools to provide even better quality learning, no matter where it takes place.”
In Sharjah, 70 out of 112 private schools (63 per cent) were rated developed for distance learning, while 42 schools (37 per cent) were partially developed, according to the Sharjah Private Education Authority (SPEA).
“The schools’ distinguished performance enhances the position of education in Sharjah and its flexibility to overcome challenges,' said Dr Muhadditha Al Hashimi, chairman of SPEA.
“We are very proud of schools’ performance and their co-operation and readiness to continue the process of progress; an achievement that is worth preserving by continuing to develop with the assistance of parents as active partners."
More than six in 10 private schools and two in 10 public schools in the Northern Emirates were rated advanced for distance learning by the Ministry of Education.
The ministry assessed all private schools and 29 per cent of government schools in Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah.
The ministry also ranked schools in three categories, with top performers named 'advanced', ahead of partially developed and underdeveloped schools.
Twenty-two per cent of government schools were rated advanced and 78 per cent were rated partially developed.
According to the results, 62 per cent of private schools were advanced, while 36 percent of schools were graded partially developed, and two per cent were assessed as underdeveloped.
Distance learning evaluations focused on a number of areas; on how well pupils learn and whether their well-being is safeguarded, on the level of teacher's instruction and monitoring of pupils’ learning, and how well school leaders managed pupils’ learning.
A five-hour-long evaluation was carried out with each school through discussions with school leaders, reviews of pupils' work, observation of online lessons, and feedback from parents, pupils and teachers.
The Distance Learning Evaluation is a collaborative initiative between the Ministry of Education, the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge, Sharjah Private Education Authority and KHDA.
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
The bio
Studied up to grade 12 in Vatanappally, a village in India’s southern Thrissur district
Was a middle distance state athletics champion in school
Enjoys driving to Fujairah and Ras Al Khaimah with family
His dream is to continue working as a social worker and help people
Has seven diaries in which he has jotted down notes about his work and money he earned
Keeps the diaries in his car to remember his journey in the Emirates
SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20SAMSUNG%20GALAXY%20S23%20ULTRA
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The biog
Name: Gul Raziq
From: Charsadda, Pakistan
Family: Wife and six children
Favourite holes at Al Ghazal: 15 and 8
Golf Handicap: 6
Childhood sport: cricket
Low turnout
Two months before the first round on April 10, the appetite of voters for the election is low.
Mathieu Gallard, account manager with Ipsos, which conducted the most recent poll, said current forecasts suggested only two-thirds were "very likely" to vote in the first round, compared with a 78 per cent turnout in the 2017 presidential elections.
"It depends on how interesting the campaign is on their main concerns," he told The National. "Just now, it's hard to say who, between Macron and the candidates of the right, would be most affected by a low turnout."
Company%20Profile
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Seemar’s top six for the Dubai World Cup Carnival:
1. Reynaldothewizard
2. North America
3. Raven’s Corner
4. Hawkesbury
5. New Maharajah
6. Secret Ambition
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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What is a black hole?
1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull
2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight
3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge
4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own
5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed
Schedule for Asia Cup
Sept 15: Bangladesh v Sri Lanka (Dubai)
Sept 16: Pakistan v Qualifier (Dubai)
Sept 17: Sri Lanka v Afghanistan (Abu Dhabi)
Sept 18: India v Qualifier (Dubai)
Sept 19: India v Pakistan (Dubai)
Sept 20: Bangladesh v Afghanistan (Abu Dhabi) Super Four
Sept 21: Group A Winner v Group B Runner-up (Dubai)
Sept 21: Group B Winner v Group A Runner-up (Abu Dhabi)
Sept 23: Group A Winner v Group A Runner-up (Dubai)
Sept 23: Group B Winner v Group B Runner-up (Abu Dhabi)
Sept 25: Group A Winner v Group B Winner (Dubai)
Sept 26: Group A Runner-up v Group B Runner-up (Abu Dhabi)
Sept 28: Final (Dubai)
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
Match info
Liverpool 4
Salah (19'), Mane (45 2', 53'), Sturridge (87')
West Ham United 0
FROM%20THE%20ASHES
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What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE
Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.
Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.
Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.
Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.
Wicked: For Good
Director: Jon M Chu
Starring: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Ethan Slater
Rating: 4/5
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory