More schools in the UAE Cambridge Examinations

Dubai

More schools in the UAE are offering Cambridge programmes and qualifications. There is a reported average growth of eight to 10 schools per year opting to provide the international qualification.

Waseem Al Hanbali, regional director of the Cambridge International Examinations, also said students in the UAE perform much better than their peers around the world in Cambridge examination such as A-levels and IGCSE exams.

“There are a total of 104 schools in the UAE with over 17,000 candidates that offer Cambridge programmes and qualifications and the number is increasing. We have been witnessing an average growth of eight to 10 schools per year in the last three years and this year we are expecting double digit [growth].”

Al Hanbali said a total of six schools in the UAE are set to join — including Brighton College and Westminster school in Al Ain — while three other schools are on the waiting list.

The regional director also said not all schools are accepted as there is a three-month process they have to go through to make sure that they have the right facilities and trained teachers.

“Another mandatory requirement that schools have to meet is the security room. Every school should have a room with no windows and contain a safe where the exam [material] is kept. We give the exam [material] to schools three weeks ahead and we have regular inspections (to ensure that they are not leaked).”

Al Hanbali also revealed that the number of students taking Cambridge exams in the UAE increased by 14 per cent last year and those students in the UAE perform better in exams than their counterparts in other countries.

“For example, if 25 per cent of students got A to A* in Cambridge that percentage is normally much higher amongst UAE students. Students here are more serious and parents also invest in their children,” he said.

Al Hanbali announced that Cambridge International Examinations is hosting the Roadshow Global Learner Event in Dubai on April 18, where they will be providing teachers with training in new teaching methodology to help them move away from the outdated and one-sided approach.

They will also be holding a parents plus learners event throughout 2016, wherein they will be educating parents about the different subjects and career paths that their children can pursue as parents in this region tend to restrict their children to either becoming doctors or engineers.

Cambridge International Examination is part of Cambridge assessment department at the University of Cambridge that offers internationally recognised qualifications for students from ages of 5 to 19. Mostly known for offering the A-level and IGCSE exams, Cambridge International Examination is working with 10,000 schools from 160 countries and 40 governments.

Facts about Cambridge International Examinations in the UAE

• More UAE schools are offering Cambridge programmes and qualifications, with a reported average growth rate of eight to 10 schools per year

• A total of 104 schools in the UAE offer Cambridge programmes and qualifications

• Students taking Cambridge exams in the UAE increased by 14 per cent last year

• Students in the UAE perform better in exams than their counterparts in other countries.

• Cambridge International Examinations are hosting Roadshow Global Learner Event in Dubai on April 18