79 schools now rated ‘Good’ in Sharjah’s private sector

Sharjah: A quiet but powerful transformation is underway in Sharjah’s private education landscape, driven by the “Itqan” programme—an initiative that’s proving how consistent support and evaluation can change the course of learning for thousands of students.

The Sharjah Private Education Authority (SPEA) has just unveiled the results of the third cycle of the Itqan programme for the 2024–2025 academic year, revealing a steady and significant rise in school performance across the emirate.

This rigorous review process isn’t just about numbers—it’s a look into classrooms, hallways, and playgrounds, where real teaching and learning happen. Evaluation teams visited 86 schools across ten curricula, sitting in on lessons, speaking with teachers and school leaders, reviewing documents, and engaging with school communities. More than 90,000 voices—including 40,838 parents, 44,810 students, and 5,698 teachers—were heard through wide-reaching surveys, offering a human lens into the education experience.

A vision for quality and accountability

At its heart, the Itqan programme aims to ensure that private schools in Sharjah meet national quality benchmarks while also helping them grow in both teaching and school management. This year’s focus included 43 schools previously rated as “Good,” 37 marked “Acceptable,” and six new schools entering the evaluation process.

The evaluation took place in two waves: from November 4 to 28, 2024, and then again from January 20 to February 20, 2025. By the end of this process, five schools had climbed to the “Very Good” category, 53 held strong at “Good,” and 28 schools were marked “Acceptable.” Notably, no schools were classified as “Weak” or “Very Weak”—a milestone that speaks volumes about the ongoing progress in Sharjah’s private education sector.

A steady climb in school quality

The improvement is not a recent phenomenon. Comparing this year’s outcomes to those from 2018 paints a hopeful picture. In 2018, only seven schools were rated as “Good” and just one as “Very Good.” Fast forward to 2025, and those numbers have skyrocketed to 79 and 14, respectively. Meanwhile, schools rated as “Acceptable” have decreased from 68 in 2018 to 28 in 2025.

These results aren’t just statistics—they’re stories of school communities working hard to deliver better learning environments and outcomes.

Words from the leadership

“This programme is more than an evaluation tool—it’s a roadmap for growth,” said Ali Al-Hosani, Director General of SPEA. “Itqan guides schools not only to meet standards but to continually strive for excellence.”

Al-Hosani also emphasized that what makes the programme truly impactful is its inclusive approach. “The surveys from parents, students, and teachers give us honest feedback. They tell us what’s working and what still needs attention. That insight is invaluable.”

Building a culture of excellence

To support these improvements, SPEA has rolled out a suite of complementary initiatives. A leadership training programme equipped over 1,000 educators and school leaders with the tools they need to drive change in their schools. In addition, thousands of teachers have benefited from professional development weeks filled with targeted, high-impact workshops.

In 2022 alone, 1,600 teachers attended 40 sessions. That number grew to 2,044 teachers in 2023. And by 2024, the focus had shifted to quality and content depth—offering fewer but more intensive sessions totaling over 1,100 training hours.

A school self-assessment project is also empowering schools to take ownership of their improvement journey. Through it, institutions learn to identify their own strengths and address their challenges—creating a feedback loop that sustains long-term growth.

Looking ahead

As the education landscape continues to evolve, the Itqan programme stands as a testament to Sharjah’s commitment to quality, inclusion, and student success. By engaging every corner of the school community—from the classroom to the home—it’s helping build not just better schools, but a stronger future for everyone involved.

“We are not just inspecting,” said Al-Hosani. “We are investing—in people, in schools, and in the future of education in Sharjah.”