Encourage students to think deeper

Dubai School Inspection Bureau's report also stated that only a few schools were successful in promoting critical thinking amongst their students.

The Dubai School Inspection Bureau's (DSIB) findings over the past two years have indicated that some schools have been more successful than others in their efforts to meet National Agenda targets.
For the 2015-16 inspection cycle, out of the 28 inspected schools that are eligible to participate, 21 schools have participated fully, and seven partially (less than 50 per cent of grade 4, grade 8 and grade 9 students have been enrolled for the benchmark tests).
The report also stated that only a few schools were successful in promoting critical thinking amongst their students.
In the more successful schools, teachers planned activities and skillfully asked questions to elicit deeper understanding and promote critical thinking. They included open-ended problems and application. Encouraging critical thinking among school children is a criterion that needs to be met in schools, according to the National Agenda parameters.
KHDA introduced the UAE National Agenda Parameter in June 2015 to help ensure that all schools embark on this practice. However, the regulatory body has clearly stated that by the 2016-2017 academic year, it is expected that all schools will have access to valid, objective and reliable measures of their students' attainment and progress in Mathematics, English and Science.
This information should give schools a clear indication of the progress they are making towards meeting their National Agenda targets. It should also help schools identify their strengths and weaknesses.
dhanusha@khaleejtimes.com

• Dubai