The UAE Ministry of Education (MoE) has unveiled its comprehensive plans for the upcoming 2024-2025 academic year, aimed at further advancing the educational landscape across the nation. The announcement comes as the Ministry confirms that public schools are fully prepared to welcome students back on Monday, August 26, 2024.
UAE Ministry Comprehensive Preparedness for a Seamless Start
During a recent briefing, the Minister of Education, Sarah Al Amiri, emphasized that the Ministry implemented proactive strategies well before the previous academic year ended. They collaborated with relevant entities to complete all preparations in advance, focusing on enhancing the school environment, upskilling educators, and improving infrastructure and support services.
Updated Assessment Policies and Weightings
One of the key updates for the new academic year involves significantly changing student assessment policies across all educational levels. These updates align with best practices and the UAE leadership’s aspirations for quality educational outcomes.
Specifically, the evaluation weightings for students in Cycles 2 and 3 have been revised. The first and third terms now each account for 35% of the total assessment, while the second term accounts for 30%. This adjustment ensures a more balanced and indicative evaluation process, reflecting the number of school days and the expected outcomes for each term. Additionally, the formative assessment now constitutes 40% of the evaluation, with the remaining 60% derived from the central assessment conducted at the end of each term.
Furthermore, the Ministry replaced the central exam for Cycle 2 students during the second term with a project-based assessment that focuses on skill measurement. This shift aims to help students apply theoretical knowledge in practice, thereby enriching their learning outcomes.
Launch of the “From Student to Leader” Campaign
In a bid to foster community-wide involvement in education, the UAE Ministry has launched the national back-to-school campaign, titled “From Student to Leader.” This campaign is structured around four key pillars: the educational system, teachers, parents, and students. The initiative seeks to engage all stakeholders in supporting students and contributing to the development of future leaders.
Infrastructure and Support Services
Mohammed Al Qasim, Under-Secretary of the MoE, highlighted the establishment of a special committee in January to oversee all operations related to the new academic year. This committee, composed of engineers and specialists, has ensured the readiness of school facilities, with 25 new schools either opened or reopened after comprehensive maintenance. Additionally, the Ministry has completed maintenance operations for 311 schools, including facility upgrades and quality control of infrastructure across all public schools.
Emphasis on Student Wellbeing and Extracurricular Activities
The Ministry is also prioritizing student wellbeing, conducting the largest field survey in the educational sector to date. This survey aims to establish a strategic framework for enhancing student wellbeing. Moreover, the upcoming academic year will see the activation of over 30 projects designed to boost students’ cognitive, cultural, and social skills, along with programs tailored to support talented students.
Building on the significant positive impact of the Freejna School project, launched last May, they will expand the initiative to include more schools. The Ministry also plans to sign agreements with specialized local partners to further develop the program, incorporating a broader range of sports, scientific, and cultural activities.
Digital and Technological Advancements
In support of the UAE’s digital transformation goals, the MoE has printed approximately 10 million textbooks and converted 3.7 million books into digital formats. Additionally, the Ministry will distribute 34,000 laptops to students in Grades 5 and 9, ensuring they have access to the necessary technological resources for their studies.
In collaboration with service providers, the Ministry has also conducted thorough maintenance on over 5,000 school buses, optimizing transportation routes to ensure a smooth and comfortable daily commute for students.
As the UAE Ministry of Education continues to implement its forward-looking strategies, the upcoming academic year promises to be one of significant growth and development for students, educators, and the broader educational community in the UAE.
