18 schools improve overall ratings

Imran Mojib, Special Correspondent

DUBAI: Dubai’s private schools have shows remarkable progress as the latest school inspection results were declared by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), Dubai, on Wednesday.

Out of 209 private schools in Dubai, 176 schools of 17 different curricula were inspected in 2018-2019. Four more schools in Dubai were adjudged outstanding, while 18 schools improved overall ratings.

Dr Abdulla Al Karam, Chairman of the Board of Directors and Director General of Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), noted that the school inspection results were announced early this year with an aim to give parents more time to choose better quality schools.

Of the 176 private schools inspected by Dubai School Inspection Bureau (DSIB), a total of 18 schools improved their rating this year, with four schools moving from ‘very good’ to ‘outstanding,’ five schools moving from ‘good’ to ‘very good’, six moving from ‘acceptable’ to ‘good’ and three from ‘weak’ to ‘acceptable.’

Dr Abdulla said, “Our schools have consistently improved year-on-year and this is good news for parents because they now have a wider selection of better quality schools in Dubai. Ten years back, only 30 per cent of students received ‘good’ or better quality education and today this number has more than doubled to 70 per cent. It is important for us to keep pushing towards better quality education and keep up with Dubai’s aspiration and future needs.”

Making new mini-school reports available for quick information before deciding on new schools, parents can access individual school inspection results from the KHDA website (www.khda.gov.ae). Each parent also receives individual feedback about their child’s schools in e-mails sent to parents across Dubai’s private schools.

Kings’ School Dubai has retained the longest standing record for ‘Outstanding’ grading by KHDA.  According to the DSIB inspection ranking for 2018-19, Kings’ School Dubai in Jumeirah has maintained the ‘Outstanding’ grade for the 11th consecutive year.

Another school of the group, Kings’ School Barsha, advanced to the ‘Outstanding’ category, while Kings’ School Nad Al Sheba achieved ‘Very Good.’

The other three schools that achieved outstanding category are Jumeirah English Speaking School (Br), Horizons English School and Dubai English Speaking School.