More exams, an ‘elite stream’ for gifted students and a greater focus on maths, technology and business management are all part of a comprehensive revamp of the UAE’s public school system.
The changes were approved by Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum during a visit to the Ministry of Education on Monday.
As part of the plans, the ministry will introduce a revised curriculum, covering “technology, innovative design, health sciences, career guidance, general skills and business management,” state news agency WAM reported.
محمد بن راشد يعتمد خطة التطوير الشاملة للمدرسة الإماراتية في المناهج والمهارات والتقييم والمسارات #الامارات pic.twitter.com/sx7X1AGGBm
— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) August 29, 2016
The curriculum will also be gradually made bilingual. It has been developed with the assistance of 19 specialised and local bodies, with the UK’s University of Cambridge helping to design the English syllabus.
New courses on information and technology will be introduced for students at primary and secondary schools.
Exceptional pupils will be drafted into an elite stream, while mid-year and end-of-year exams will be introduced to evaluate students.
The UAE will also build a training centre for teachers.
“We are counting on the teachers and the Ministry of Education to help school education make a great leap forward,” Sheikh Mohammed said, according to WAM.
“There is no room for excuses,” he said. “We look forward to developing a new generation of students that is equipped to use the tools of the future,” he added.
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