Victor Meldrew

After the latest round of KHDA inspections have begun, the Head of Dubai College has resigned.

New criteria which emphasise the teaching of Arabic and Islamic Studies as a key decider in schools' final grading, mean that British curriculum schools are disadvantaged.

http://www.thenational.ae/apps/pbcs....710259845/1010

A number of parents are extremely upset that such a focus on Arabic should be imposed on their children.

Should this be allowed? or should this be accepted as part of living in the UAE?

Victor Meldrew

Plus a follow up in todays paper

http://thenational.newspaperdirect.c...er/viewer.aspx

Madam Medusa

don't object to the arabic, in fact i think it's a great thing and should be a key part of education here...but the islamic studies should only form part of much wider religious education, which cover every religion...

MM, xx

Blue Cat

I am happy about the arabic lessons, got no issue with it at all and I agree with MM about the religous education, should be all faiths not just the Muslim one.

Victor Meldrew

I agree that it is great that children get the opportunity to learn the culture of the country they are living in, but within a British curriculum school it is a minority subject.

The problem is more that the final grading of a school is heavily/disproportionatley dependant on the quality of teaching in arabic. If the teaching of Arabic is not outstanding, a school cannot be given an overall grade of outstanding.

It would be like saying that unless the standard of geography or PE or music was outstanding, the school cannot be given outstanding.

Fairydust

I think its completely wrong and disagree MM that it should be a key part of the education maybe at primary level but when they get to secondary its a complete waste of time unless they want to go on and take a GCSE in the subject - hmmm maybe not with the standard of teaching. The hours per week spent on this (which I find goes over and over the same things every single year - lost count how many times they have learnt the alphabet and the names of animals!!) could be put to use in the core subjects of the curriculum. If this goes any further I feel I have no choice but to look at education elsewhere and from what Ive heard its going to get a lot worse if the schools comply to what is required. Just hoping our head is the rebellious type.

I would have loved for her to be able to read, write or even perhaps speak arabic but after 6 weeks of learning spanish she knows far more than after 6 years and 6 weeks of arabic!

Alexa

I have to agree, my child has had Arabic lessons in school for 7 years now, it was repetition, after repetition , the teachers were simply disasters. And of course, if you put native speakers together with those who aren't, things simply do not work.
IF all that and many other issues will be taken into consideration, then , maybe, there is a fair chance for our children to actually learn the language. But, with the way things are handled, I do not see that happening.
It is all a farce and superficial. IMHO

Thunderbirds Are Go

frankly speaking...i wish they all got poor results, thereby not increasing tuition fees at all... they are already making a killing with high fees...

as for arabic, i'm all for it, hopefully, the kids can teach me a two, other than my limited vocabulary of khalas, shukran, and IBM..!

Yo Max

Dubai College has consistently excelled in the board exams with nearly 80% students securing A or A stars and a 97% pass rate. The academic and cultural resources of the school provide a superb environment for intellectual and personal growth of each and every student. This year, it rated the best overseas British curriculum school... and yet the KHDA knows better.

Like most parents, I would love my child to be fluent in Arabic but with teachers who have absolutely zero ability or motivation to teach, this seems highly unlikely. Perhaps the KHDA should place more emphasis on the standard of arabic teachers available in English speaking schools if they really want to "help".

It is disgraceful that a headmaster of the best independent school who has proved his mettle in such a short time is force to resign because of external interference. What the KHDA think is irrelevant to most parents and I am shocked the Board of Governors have not shown any leadership in this matter.

IndieG

This is worrying...the Minister of Education's vision to nationalise all private schools.


http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayA...section=theuae


Our experience has been very different.

Victor Meldrew

This is of course, another thing to consider. I have first hand experience of arabic teaching in 3 different English curriculum schools in 3 different middle eastern countries. The standard of teaching, in particular the level of discipline/behaviour in trhe classroom has always been a cause for concern.

Yes perhaps the KHDA should look at how they might encourage high standard Arabic teachers to come and work in the UAE, along with their drive to improve standards. Perhaps heads shoould do the same (Iknow in 2 of the schools, the arabic teachers get a much lower standard package)

Nic1

I think Arabic taught properly in British curriculum schools in ME is a great idea - taught as it is now is a complete and utter waste of time. It is one of my big regrets that my kids did all their primary schooling and part of their secondary schooling in ME and are not fluent in Arabic.

They actually learnt more in Saudi where they socialised more with Arabic people than they did in school lessons. I do think Arabic for the children is a good idea, as it makes them safer when they are out on their ow if they can understand what is being said around them, to them, or about them.

N

Victor Meldrew

Having spoken to a number of teachers who have recently undergone the KHDA inspections, the underlying feeling is that they are 'rigorous but not thorough'

Kings Dubai have just been given outstanding for the 2nd time. What makes them different to Dubai College or JESS or DESS or Jumeirah College which warrants the ultimate accolade?

Anybody who knows the school who can elucidate?

Nic1

Alledgedly JC and JESS also got outstanding.

N

IndieG

So getting an 'outstanding' rating is a ticket to increase fees. Am sure Varkey must be a very happy man indeed