Abu Dhabi: The Abu Dhabi Education Council (Adec) has launched a comprehensive strategy targeting private school students and education standards at those institutions.
The innovative strategy aims to equip the students with knowledge, skills, values, and positive attitudes necessary to be life-long learners who remain determined to pursue and complete their education.
The new strategy's objective is to prepare the future workforce to successfully contribute in the global arena while being proud of their national identity, culture, heritage and traditions.
"Creating a solid private education infrastructure in the Abu Dhabi emirate is a key priority to achieving the capital's Economic Vision 2030," said Dr Mugheer Khamis Al Khaili, Director General of Adec.
"Improving the private schools is indispensable to meet the workforce demands of Abu Dhabi's future interdisciplinary knowledge-based economy," Al Khaili said.
There are currently 181 private schools where 31 per cent of the student body is Emiratis.
Private schools expect around 10,000 new enrolments every year; therefore increasing the schools' capacity has become crucial.
Poor performance
In addition, students' assessment has revealed a poor performance deemed below the required average. This poor education quality is due to insufficient financial resources and qualified staff.
Adec's new strategy is set to remedy these problems while maintaining reasonable school fees.
Adec will provide schools with framework policy for guidance while conducting regular inspections.
Adec's guide is expected to be accomplished by mid 2011. "It's a step in the right direction," said Bob Malone, Principal of Al Yasmina School.
