Parents and pupils get a say on Abu Dhabi schools

The Abu Dhabi Education Council is inviting parents and children to speak their mind about the quality of education they receive in a survey posted on their website.

Children during a class at Al Rabeeh School. Education officials are seeking feedback on schools performance in Abu Dhabi. Jaime Puebla / The National

ABU DHABI // Education officials are seeking feedback from parents and pupils in a bid to improve schools in the capital.

The Abu Dhabi Education Council (Adec) posted a satisfaction survey on its website, inviting parents and children to speak their mind about the quality of education.

The survey is divided into two parts: the first to be filled by parents of children in state and private schools and the other accessible to pupils in Grade 5 to Grade 12 at state schools.

Dr Mugheer Khamis Al Khaili, director general of Adec, said the survey will help rate the performance of each school and will be a source for identifying areas in need of improvement.

“The feedback will also help us create a national workforce in scientific and technology related disciplines, which require our schools to promote a learning environment that fosters innovation and academic excellence,” said Dr Al Khaili.

The questionnaire asks participants to rate the teaching, level of  improvement, communication and facilities. They are also asked for opinions on the school environment, its performance, quality of curriculum, the leadership and staff.

Every parent has been sent a username and password to access the 15-minute survey, which consists of 32 questions for parents and 21 for children.

Adec has been conducting the survey since 2009 and 50,000 parents took part last year. That survey revealed children spend not more than 30 minutes on average studying after school hours.

Dr Masood Badri, executive director of the research and planning department at Adec, said parents should take the surveys seriously as their answers contribute to effective decision making.

“Feedback will be used to make more informed decision while developing and improving schools programmes,” said Dr Badri.

“Their inputs play a crucial role in identifying the important areas for school improvement.”

Dr Badri said the survey for pupils helped to gauge their satisfaction with the school environment and communication with teachers.

The survey is available at www.adec.ac.ae