UAE | Education
New school model aims to improve teaching standards
Principals, deputies to attend week-long training
- By Hiba Haddad, Staff Reporter
- Published: 00:00 June 21, 2010
Abu Dhabi: The Abu Dhabi Education Council (Adec) launched the first phase of its ‘New School Model' which will see 352 principals and vice-principals from 171 government schools in Abu Dhabi undergo training ahead of the 2010-11 academic year.
‘Qiyada', a week-long School Leadership Training Academy, is part of the first phase aimed at KG and grades 1-3. The Adec initiative will encompass all grade levels by 2016.
The model will be practised by 3,000 teachers and will affect 38,00 students.
Explaining details of the new approach Dr Mugheer Al Khaili, Adec director-general said: "We are launching the training for the new model of education in Abu Dhabi which aims to make students the centre of the development of the education field."
"This model requires us to change the mode of teaching and education. It necessitates that we fight against memorisation and instead focus on innovation, creativity and team work," he said.
The School Leadership Training Academy is being conducted in partnership with Leeds Global and is meant to equip all key figures with the necessary skills and knowledge needed to implement the education model as determined by Adec.
"The key elements of the new model will include a focus on a child-centered learning environment and aims to develop literacy and numeric skills in both Arabic and English," said Dr Lynne Pierson, executive director for P-12 at Adec.
"Critical thinking skills will also be developed with a continued focus on cultural and national identity," she added.
The success of the model and Adec's vision hinged on principals as they were the key for its effective application, officials said.
"Research shows us that there is nothing more important for the achievement of children than the quality of principals and the quality of teachers that work with them," John Chubb, chief executive of Leeds Global, said.
"Principals ensure that teachers get reinforcement, feedback for their work, and it is the principal that provides [the] encouragement for them to stay with it," he added.
Earlier this month, Adec said it would apply Finnish school models in two public schools in an effort to implement Adec's model.
Key issues: Planned changes
- Standardising of school organisation and policies in all Abu Dhabi public schools.
- The individual learning needs of students will be addressed, including pupils with special education needs.
- Schools are to apply consistent disciplinary, retention, and attendance policies.
- Classrooms will be transformed into learning environments that will encourage exploration, independent thinking among pupils.
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