Dubai: Despite more than 200,000 pupils attending private schools in Dubai, only 26,557 people viewed inspection results and reports by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) last year — and many of them weren’t even pupils or parents.
The numbers show that the majority of parents in Dubai don’t take school evaluations into consideration when enrolling their children in private schools. This is also true when it comes to parents of existing students, who do not use the annual inspection results to make important decisions when it comes to their child’s education.
These inspection reports show which schools and curriculums are progressing and which aren’t. They also highlight areas of weakness that need improving and areas of strength.
Although many would consider such information vital, statistics shared exclusively by the KHDA show that 243,715 pupils attend private schools in Dubai, but only 26,557 people viewed the inspection results last year, which are available online. A KHDA spokesperson revealed that many of these people aren’t even parents and the majority are academics.
The KHDA has been publishing reports of their annual inspections results since 2009, to guide parents looking for the right school for their child as well as help parents of existing pupils track their school’s performance.
Unfortunately, many parents do not read these reports, which are available to the public online.
Omran Ali, an Indian parent, said he is aware of the annual inspections. He reads about them occasionally in the newspaper, however he has never viewed them online.
“I am sure viewing them in detail would be an effective tool when making decisions, But I want to be honest. I do not check them in detail, I just check the school’s overall ranking in the newspaper and that is it.”
On the other hand, some parents, like Eman Hassan, a Jordanian mother of two, are not even aware of the existence of these reports online.
“To be honest, I knew that there were inspections, as I was told that the school my children go to was ranked ‘good’, but I did not know that the public can access it online.”
Hind Al Mulla, Chief of Engagement of KHDA, said parents should take advantage of these inspections as they are vital to their children’s academic journey.
“Reports enable parents to make informed decisions about their child’s education and future. Parents are able to contrast and compare the results of different schools, focusing on everything from academia to extra-curricular activities and student life.”
The statistics showed that while there was 337,628 visitors to the KHDA website last year, only 26,557 viewed the online publication section that includes the KHDA’s latest inspections results as well as other school reports. The average duration was 6.30 minutes.
In 2012, the figures were even lower as out of the 154,901 people who accessed the website only 6,103 viewed the publication section. The average duration was 5.45 minutes.
Hind said this shows that the number of visitors accessing these reports online is steadily growing.
“We are expecting the number this year to be the highest. We will continue to engage parents through various channels of communication. In addition to online reports, we offer smart services.”
In the first two quarters of this year 204,139 people visited the KHDA website, out of which 18,776 viewed the publications online.
The KHDA is a regulatory authority that offers publications, along with detailed inspection reports of Dubai private schools that range from early childhood to adult learning. Its work is guided by the government’s strategy and its findings drive initiatives that affect Dubai.
