Two Indian schools get ‘outstanding’ rating

DUBAI — Two Indian schools have been awarded an ‘outstanding’ rating for the first time by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA).

The Indian High School and the Dubai Modern High School joined the ranks of the best private schools after being awarded the rating by the Dubai School Inspection Bureau (DSIB).

Principals and parents of students listening to Abdulla Al Karam (right) announcing the inspection results for Indian and Pakistani schools in Dubai. — KT photos by Muaz Shabandri

Of the 21 Indian schools inspected by DSIB, two were rated outstanding, seven were rated good, 10 were acceptable and two, unsatisfactory. Three Pakistani schools were also rated ‘unsatisfactory’ by the inspection bureau.

The results were announced on Monday by senior KHDA officials in the presence of heads of schools and parents at the Manipal University Campus, Dubai.

Jameela Al Muhairi, Chief of DSIB said, “We are delighted to give two Indian schools an outstanding rating. It is important for the other schools to learn from the best practices in these outstanding schools. There is still scope for improvement in the ‘acceptable’ schools and the pace of development needs to improve.”

According to the report, no Indian school progressed from acceptable to good and the rate of improvement within these schools had slowed down.

Speaking with Khaleej Times, Dr Abdulla Al Karam, Chairman and Director-General of KHDA said: “There are certain weaknesses and certain strengths in every school. A school can improve by learning from the best practices of outstanding schools and collaborating with them.”

Ashok Kumar, CEO of the Indian High School attributed the school’s success to its teachers and students as he said, “Excellent governance and good leadership shown by the staff along with the involvement of parents have made us what we are today. The school, which was started in 1961, has more than 10,000 students on its attendance roll.

For students and teachers at Dubai Modern High School, the outstanding rating is yet another feather in its cap.

Darryl Bloud, Principal DMHS said, “I must confess that like most schools, we accepted the first cycle of inspections with much trepidation. However, three years down the line, my colleagues and I have seen the merit that it has brought.”

Indian schools account for 28 per cent of the student population in Dubai’s private schools as they serve more than 60,000 students.

Pakistani schools rated ‘unsatisfactory’

DUBAI — Schools following the Pakistani curriculum need to make efforts to improve leadership and provide innovative solutions as an ‘educational crisis’ threatens these schools.

All three Pakistani schools were rated ‘unsatisfactory’ by KHDA officials who cited weak leadership and inadequate resources as a major contributor to the failure of these schools.

Guidelines and recommendations from the KHDA have failed to help these schools as the report cited ‘too many changes to leadership’ as a cause of concern.

Speaking with Khaleej Times, Jameela Al Muhairi, Chief of the DSIB said, “ School leaders have to put in extra efforts to improve the Pakistani education system.

They need to follow the recommendations presented in the inspection report and implement the guidelines to bring changes in the school system.”

The 42-page report highlighted several shortcomings in these schools as it pointed towards inadequate resources, poor planning and limited support for learning in Pakistani schools.

Schools falling in the unsatisfactory category will undergo follow-through inspections every three months. Previous follow-through inspections and close monitoring by inspectors have failed to bring a change in the education offered at these schools.

Highlighting the need to improve school leadership, the report also blamed poor day-to-day management as it read, “The organisations which run Pakistani schools need to address the common weakness in their schools. They need to provide the investment, resources and support to school leaders to urgently bring about changes required for parents.”

Shafiq Ahmed, Principal of the Pakistan Education Academy noted the shortcomings as he said: “We are working to address some of the issues and we have already started making changes. New teachers are being hired but some of the core issues have still not been addressed.”

The other two schools that were rated unsatisfactory were Al Farooq Pakistani Islamic School and Sheikh Rashid Al Maktoum Pakistani School. —muaz@khaleejtimes.com

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