School principals in Dubai have said the latest private schools inspection report holds out hope for many that an overall “outstanding” rating is achievable.
The recent school inspections by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) in Dubai rated 20 institutions as outstanding — the highest rating available, above very good, good, acceptable and unacceptable.
The results released on April 3 also showed that 25 schools had improved their performance.
Every year they raise the bar so you have to run a little harder to maintain your ranking,
Rashmi Nandkeolyar,
principal of Delhi Private School Dubai
It was the first in-person inspection since 2019 after the coronavirus pandemic prompted officials to halt visits to schools for safety reasons.
Heads of schools welcomed the inspections, saying they contributed to continuous improvement in teaching, learning and ultimately benefited the pupils.
The KHDA, Dubai’s private schools’ regulator, inspected 199 schools in the latest round of inspections — 23 more than it did four years ago.
Officials have been assessing schools in Dubai every year since 2008.
Raising the bar
Schools moving up the rankings would boost optimism among educators, said Rashmi Nandkeolyar, principal of Delhi Private School Dubai.
“There is hope for everybody to do better and better and I take this as a positive sign,” she said.
“We are now looking around the corner for the next inspection.
“Now inspections have become a thing to look forward to, rather than dread, because it’s a kind of pat on the back or a public acknowledgement of doing well.”
The Indian curriculum CBSE school was rated "very good".
Ms Nandkeolyar said the rankings help to ensure pupils receive a holistic and comprehensive education.
Dubai's private education regulator has introduced reading as a key focus for the next year, where pupils will be encouraged to read across all subjects, not only in English but also Science and Maths.
In previous years, attention was paid to innovation and children's well-being.
“Every year they raise the bar so you have to run a little harder to maintain your ranking,” she said.
“Sometimes there could be a technicality that is holding you back from that outstanding ranking but you can smell it.
“All this is aspirational and they [KHDA] keep expanding the horizon.”
Feedback is vital for change
Education heads said when teachers are asked to consistently research, learn and are called on to refine their teaching methods, the pupils are the real beneficiaries.
Glen Radojkovich, deputy director at education provider Taleem, said the inspections allowed schools to self-reflect and continue to improve.
“Our focus on ensuring all our Taaleem schools offer the best education possible for our students, remains at the centre of all we do,” he said.
“We are particularly proud of Greenfield International School which moved from ‘good’ to ‘very good’ and also the significant improvement in Arabic and Islamic education outcomes across the Taaleem portfolio.”
The feedback provided by inspectors is vital with clear action that can be planned.
“Feedback is immediately woven into our school improvement plans,” he said.
“Taaleem, as a group of schools, has increased in more Arabic and Islamic Education indicators in this round of inspections than ever before, which demonstrates the priority that our board, management and school principals place on this area of education in Dubai.”
During the Covid-19 pandemic, KHDA inspectors conducted checks on the quality of online classes, interviewed the management and teaching staff remotely.
The in-person inspection this year was the first time many new teachers experienced a Dubai Schools Inspection Bureau evaluation.
“This was the first time in many years that Dubai has experienced inspections and for a larger than usual percentage of teachers across the city it meant it was their first time experiencing a DSIB inspection,” Mr Radojkovich said.
“We are confident that we will see even greater school improvements next year.
“Taaleem has continued to make great improvements year on year during inspections.”
Moving in the right direction
Schools said the evaluation helped teachers understand where modifications were required and how to improve facilities.
“It has confirmed what we already know and has given us some very realistic improvement points, which we will look forward to being able to showcase in the next inspection,” said Rebecca Coulter, principal Dubai British School, Jumeirah Park.
“We had a huge number of uplifts in many areas. Our Arabic and Islamic Studies has improved, as have our outcomes in English, Maths and Science.
“We know we have made rapid improvements since the last inspection and those were confirmed in our report.”
The rankings provide a snapshot of success stories and highlight areas where further development is possible.
“One of our big priorities is to making sure students own their learning and can articulate and understand their learning,” Ms Coulter said.
“There are success stories both individually and collectively as a school and it just reinforces that we are moving in the right direction.”
Wicked: For Good
Director: Jon M Chu
Starring: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Ethan Slater
Rating: 4/5
More coverage from the Future Forum
Saturday's results
Women's third round
- 14-Garbine Muguruza Blanco (Spain) beat Sorana Cirstea (Romania) 6-2, 6-2
- Magdalena Rybarikova (Slovakia) beat Lesia Tsurenko (Ukraine) 6-2, 6-1
- 7-Svetlana Kuznetsova (Russia) beat Polona Hercog (Slovenia) 6-4. 6-0
- Coco Vandeweghe (USA) beat Alison Riske (USA) 6-2, 6-4
- 9-Agnieszka Radwanska (Poland) beat 19-Timea Bacsinszky (Switzerland) 3-6, 6-4, 6-1
- Petra Martic (Croatia) beat Zarina Diyas (Kazakhstan) 7-6, 6-1
- Magdalena Rybarikova (Slovakia) beat Lesia Tsurenko (Ukraine) 6-2, 6-1
- 7-Svetlana Kuznetsova (Russia) beat Polona Hercog (Slovenia) 6-4, 6-0
Men's third round
- 13-Grigor Dimitrov (Bulgaria) beat Dudi Sela (Israel) 6-1, 6-1 -- retired
- Sam Queery (United States) beat Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (France) 6-2, 3-6, 7-6, 1-6, 7-5
- 6-Milos Raonic (Canada) beat 25-Albert Ramos (Spain) 7-6, 6-4, 7-5
- 10-Alexander Zverev (Germany) beat Sebastian Ofner (Austria) 6-4, 6-4, 6-2
- 11-Tomas Berdych (Czech Republic) beat David Ferrer (Spain) 6-3, 6-4, 6-3
- Adrian Mannarino (France) beat 15-Gael Monfils (France) 7-6, 4-6, 5-7, 6-3, 6-2
In numbers: PKK’s money network in Europe
Germany: PKK collectors typically bring in $18 million in cash a year – amount has trebled since 2010
Revolutionary tax: Investigators say about $2 million a year raised from ‘tax collection’ around Marseille
Extortion: Gunman convicted in 2023 of demanding $10,000 from Kurdish businessman in Stockholm
Drug trade: PKK income claimed by Turkish anti-drugs force in 2024 to be as high as $500 million a year
Denmark: PKK one of two terrorist groups along with Iranian separatists ASMLA to raise “two-digit million amounts”
Contributions: Hundreds of euros expected from typical Kurdish families and thousands from business owners
TV channel: Kurdish Roj TV accounts frozen and went bankrupt after Denmark fined it more than $1 million over PKK links in 2013
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Where to donate in the UAE
The Emirates Charity Portal
You can donate to several registered charities through a “donation catalogue”. The use of the donation is quite specific, such as buying a fan for a poor family in Niger for Dh130.
The General Authority of Islamic Affairs & Endowments
The site has an e-donation service accepting debit card, credit card or e-Dirham, an electronic payment tool developed by the Ministry of Finance and First Abu Dhabi Bank.
Al Noor Special Needs Centre
You can donate online or order Smiles n’ Stuff products handcrafted by Al Noor students. The centre publishes a wish list of extras needed, starting at Dh500.
Beit Al Khair Society
Beit Al Khair Society has the motto “From – and to – the UAE,” with donations going towards the neediest in the country. Its website has a list of physical donation sites, but people can also contribute money by SMS, bank transfer and through the hotline 800-22554.
Dar Al Ber Society
Dar Al Ber Society, which has charity projects in 39 countries, accept cash payments, money transfers or SMS donations. Its donation hotline is 800-79.
Dubai Cares
Dubai Cares provides several options for individuals and companies to donate, including online, through banks, at retail outlets, via phone and by purchasing Dubai Cares branded merchandise. It is currently running a campaign called Bookings 2030, which allows people to help change the future of six underprivileged children and young people.
Emirates Airline Foundation
Those who travel on Emirates have undoubtedly seen the little donation envelopes in the seat pockets. But the foundation also accepts donations online and in the form of Skywards Miles. Donated miles are used to sponsor travel for doctors, surgeons, engineers and other professionals volunteering on humanitarian missions around the world.
Emirates Red Crescent
On the Emirates Red Crescent website you can choose between 35 different purposes for your donation, such as providing food for fasters, supporting debtors and contributing to a refugee women fund. It also has a list of bank accounts for each donation type.
Gulf for Good
Gulf for Good raises funds for partner charity projects through challenges, like climbing Kilimanjaro and cycling through Thailand. This year’s projects are in partnership with Street Child Nepal, Larchfield Kids, the Foundation for African Empowerment and SOS Children's Villages. Since 2001, the organisation has raised more than $3.5 million (Dh12.8m) in support of over 50 children’s charities.
Noor Dubai Foundation
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the Noor Dubai Foundation a decade ago with the aim of eliminating all forms of preventable blindness globally. You can donate Dh50 to support mobile eye camps by texting the word “Noor” to 4565 (Etisalat) or 4849 (du).
Ipaf in numbers
Established: 2008
Prize money: $50,000 (Dh183,650) for winners and $10,000 for those on the shortlist.
Winning novels: 13
Shortlisted novels: 66
Longlisted novels: 111
Total number of novels submitted: 1,780
Novels translated internationally: 66
Profile of Whizkey
Date founded: 04 November 2017
Founders: Abdulaziz AlBlooshi and Harsh Hirani
Based: Dubai, UAE
Number of employees: 10
Sector: AI, software
Cashflow: Dh2.5 Million
Funding stage: Series A
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THE BIO
Ms Davison came to Dubai from Kerala after her marriage in 1996 when she was 21-years-old
Since 2001, Ms Davison has worked at many affordable schools such as Our Own English High School in Sharjah, and The Apple International School and Amled School in Dubai
Favourite Book: The Alchemist
Favourite quote: Failing to prepare is preparing to fail
Favourite place to Travel to: Vienna
Favourite cuisine: Italian food
Favourite Movie : Scent of a Woman
WHAT%20START-UPS%20IS%20VISA%20SEEKING%3F
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