Abu Dhabi: More than 4,000 schoolchildren in the emirate of Abu Dhabi are participating in an international survey that will measure their abilities and scholastic attitudes in comparison with other pupils across the world, the Abu Dhabi Education Council (Adec) announced in a statement sent today (April 26).
The Programme for International Student Assessment (Pisa) is a study of 15-year-old pupils’ abilities in the areas of maths, science and reading literacy, and this year is conducted by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development. Pupils from both public and private schools in Abu Dhabi will be participating, and it will be administered by the Adec, the emirate’s education sector regulator.
The survey will be conducted across 117 schools, with 68 schools completing the survey in Arabic and 49 schools undertaking it in English.
The Pisa survey is expected to create a better understanding of the level of motivation among students to learn, as well as their performance and preferences for learning situations. It should also foster an understanding about pupils’ attitudes towards learning, their beliefs about themselves and their learning strategies.
In addition to the poll, the Pisa also includes a two-hour assessment of students’ knowledge and skills in reading literacy, mathematical literacy, scientific literacy and problem solving, as well as background questionnaires that explore students’ attitudes to learning and their learning environment.
“Once results are released in December 2016, Adec will share findings with all Abu Dhabi schools. The findings will identify areas of success that can be celebrated and also identify areas where improvements are required,” Hamed Al Daheri, head of the Pisa committee at the Adec, said.
