Abu Dhabi introduces standardised school ‘Performance Boards’ across all private schools
ADEK’s latest move empowers parents with school performance data
Abu Dhabi: The Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) has officially rolled out standardised School Performance Boards to be prominently displayed at the entrances of all private schools across the emirate.
These boards aim to give parents, students, and visitors clear, direct insights into the latest results from two major evaluation programs: the Irtiqaa school inspection framework and the National Identity Mark.
Suleiman Al Ameri, Acting Executive Director of the Private Education and Partnerships Sector at ADEK, highlighted the importance of the initiative, stating:
“These boards are more than just evaluation tools—they reflect schools’ commitment to academic excellence and to fostering national identity among students. By showcasing performance outcomes, we aim to drive continuous improvement and empower parents with a clearer understanding of educational quality.”
Key Indicators: Irtiqaa Ratings and National Identity Mark
Each Performance Board presents a snapshot of two core quality indicators.
Irtiqaa Evaluation – ADEK’s official inspection framework, which assesses schools across six key standards:
Student achievement
Personal and social development, including innovation skills
Teaching and assessment quality
Curriculum quality
Student protection, care, guidance, and support
Leadership and school management
National Identity Mark – Evaluates how well schools promote Emirati values, culture, and citizenship in their learning environments.
ADEK also announced that a third indicator, the School Wellbeing Mark, will soon be added. This new metric will assess how effectively schools support the mental, social, and physical wellbeing of both students and educators—contributing to a stronger overall learning environment.
Transparency and community engagement
This initiative is part of ADEK’s broader strategy to enhance transparency and strengthen community engagement in the private education sector. By making performance data publicly visible, ADEK enables families to make more informed decisions about their children’s education.
Parents will be able to view the boards during school visits and can access detailed information about the Irtiqaa and National Identity programs through ADEK’s official website and the “RAYAA” mobile app.
Supporting informed decision-making
The launch of these boards aligns with ADEK’s long-term goal of building a world-class education system in Abu Dhabi. A key part of this vision is ensuring families have reliable, accessible information to guide their educational choices.
This initiative represents a major step in raising school standards, promoting accountability, and reinforcing the shared responsibility between schools, parents, and education authorities.
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