3 in 4 pupils in Indian schools get 'good' or 'better' education: KHDA

Dubai - One school was rated 'outstanding', 15 were rated 'good', five were 'very good', nine were 'acceptable', and one was 'weak'.

A total of 73 per cenostudents attending Indian-curriculum schools in Dubai are receiving 'good' quality of education or even better, a report by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) has revealed.
The 2018-2019 'Indian Curriculum Schools' report showed that 31 out of 35 Indian-curriculum schools were inspected by the KHDA. This year, 21 schools were rated 'good' or better, compared to 18 schools last year.
One school was rated 'outstanding', 15 were rated 'good', five were 'very good', nine were 'acceptable', and one was 'weak'.
Fatma Belrehif, CEO of the Dubai School Inspection Bureau at the KHDA, said: "We can clearly see an improvement in the quality of education on offer in the Indian-curriculum schools. This will further improve student outcomes and achievements in the years to come.
"The continued progress of Indian-curriculum schools reflects the keenness of school leaders to implement inspection findings and improve the quality of education in Dubai."
Three schools improved in the school ratings this year, with two schools advancing from 'acceptable' to 'good' and one moving from 'weak' to 'acceptable'.
There are 79,113 students enrolled in Indian-curriculum schools. Three out of four of them are receiving 'good' or 'better' quality of education. A total of 69 per cent of students were in 'good' or 'better' schools in the 2017-2018 academic year, up from 45 per cent 10 years ago in 2009.  Seventy-four per cent of the pupils follow a CBSE curriculum; 11 per cent follow CBSE and have an option to sit for KSB; and 10 per cent follow a CISE/ICSE curriculum.
"While the number of Indian-curriculum schools increased by 67 per cent during the last 10 years, the increase in the student population was 45 per cent. Students wishing to follow the Indian curriculum now have a wider selection of schools operating at different price points.
"These schools offer a range of Indian curriculums leading to different examination boards," the report said.   GEMS Modern Academy is the only 'outstanding'-rated school. The Indian High School, Delhi Private School, GEMS Our Own English High School, The Millennium School, and the Ambassador Kindergarten are all 'very good' schools. Gulf Model School is the only 'weak'-rated school.
"We have now completed a decade of school inspections in Dubai and more students than ever now attend schools rated 'good' or better," Belrehif said.
Of the two schools serving 2,562 students, one school improved from 'weak' to 'acceptable' and the other declined from 'acceptable' to 'weak'. HH Sheikh Rashid Al Maktoum Pakistani School was rated as 'acceptable' and the Pakistan Education Academy was marked 'weak'.

CAMPUSES ACE #10YearChallenge
The Knowledge and Human Development Authority is celebrating 10 years of Indian school inspections this year as it recently released its latest Indian-curriculum schools report.
In a letter sent out to parents, the KHDA wrote: "You may have seen the #10YearChallenge on social media, in which people post pictures to compare themselves today and 10 years ago. This year represents a 10-year challenge of our own, as it's the 10th year of Indian school inspections in Dubai."
The authority said that 10 years ago, parents could choose from 21 schools offering Indian curriculum. Today, they have a choice of 35 different schools.
Back then, fewer than half (45 per cent) of students in Indian-curriculum schools received 'good' or 'better' education. Today, nearly three-quarters of children (73 per cent) do.
Strengths of a 'good' school
>Outstanding achievements in English and science
>Respectful, responsible students
>Pupils' deep understanding of Islamic values
>School staff's diligence
Next targets
>A more rigorous process of internal school self-evaluation that focuses on students' holistic development
>Engaging all staff more fully in improving the quality of teaching and learning, most notably in the kindergarten, primary and middle school levels
>Ensuring that governance identifies and removes barriers to school improvement
Excellent achievement
Students attending Indian schools have the highest levels of well-being out of all students in Dubai, based on the KHDA's Dubai Student Wellbeing Census, whose full results are set to be released soon.
Schools with 'good' or above ratings
Outstanding
>Gems Modern Academy
 Very Good
>The Indian High School
>Delhi Private School
>Gems Our Own English High School
>The Millennium School
>Ambassador Kindergarten
 Good
>Bilva Indian School
>Amled School
>Primus Private School
>The Indian High School-Branch
>Our Own High School
>JSS International School
>JSS Private School
>Gems Our Own Indian School
>The Kindergarten Starters
>Ambassador School
>Gems New Millennium School
>Springdales School
>The Indian Academy
>Credence High School
>Gems Heritage Indian School
sarwat@khaleejtimes.com