Report finds improvements needed in Dubai’s Indian schools

DUBAI // Only one Indian school improved its rating in the past year, a report by Dubai’s Knowledge and Human Development Authority shows.

Inspections of the 25 schools following the Indian curriculum this academic year rated two as outstanding, eight good, 13 acceptable and two unsatisfactory.

The two outstanding schools were Gems Modern Academy and the Indian High School. Both have had this rating since the 2011-2012 academic year.

The two unsatisfactory, Crescent English and Gulf Modern schools, have held that ranking since 2012-2013.

The only schools that changed ratings were JSS Private School, which improved from acceptable to good, and Gems Our Own Indian School, which dropped from good to acceptable.

Schools must try harder to hit goals set by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, the report said.

“The Indian schools have shown significant improvement in their students’ performance since 2007 and are moving closer to achieving the aspirational targets,” it said.

“However, despite the average score in Grade 8 Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study assessments almost reaching the UAE target, the students still have significant gaps to achieve the other targets.”

Sheikh Mohammed had set a national target to be among 20 highest performing countries in the Programme for International Student Assessment by 2021, and in the 15 highest performers for the Timss.

The Dubai Schools Inspection Bureau conducted the inspections of the schools in September and October last year.

Ashok Kumar, chief executive of the Indian High School, said he was pleased with his school’s top ranking.

“This is the second time the schools will be writing the tests,” Mr Kumar said. “What is required is awareness, and KHDA is working on that on a large scale.

“Under their umbrella, the training of teachers and parent awareness is being worked on. These things are already being taken care of.

“Revision of the curriculum, training of the teachers and awareness of the parents are important, and we have focused on this. The processes have already been done and our school’s scores are way ahead.”

The report also evaluated whether schools made provision for children with special needs, and for early learning.

“The most successful Indian curriculum schools introduced and used other international early years curricula to enrich children’s learning experiences,” the report said.

“They had invested significantly in improving the quality of the learning environment and provided resources for children that promoted learning and development through play.”

Mr Kumar said: “Our school has facilities for children with special needs, including a learning centre, and different curriculums and also a one-to-one approach with students.

“We have early development programmes. This is important because this is the habit-formation age and you need to inculcate the right culture and habits at that time.

“Every Indian school is making an effort, but sometimes resources are lacking or teacher training is a challenge.”

The report said there were 75,175 pupils and 8,898 teachers in Dubai’s Indian schools.