Teachers and principals give school inspections high grades

The Authority gave separate surveys to the principals and teachers at all 189 schools that were inspected, after their inspection process was completed.

The survey excludes Indian, Pakistani and Iranian schools, which will be inspected in the next academic year.

The completed surveys are still coming in to KHDA but so far 82 principals and 918 teachers have responded. (The questions and answers are attached.)

A total of 843 inspectors went into Dubai's schools between October 2008 until April 16 this year for the first-ever inspections of schools, both public and private.

Dr Abdulla Al Karam, Chairman of the Board of Directors and Director General at KHDA, said:

"We want people to have the facts. We cannot plan for the future based on ideas, perceptions or impressions of how things are. If you want to know what school principals think of our inspections, you now have the data which tells you. If you want to know how teachers feel about inspections now you have the answers to the questions we asked them."

"Please remember that this survey was carried out after the inspections took place; that means each of these principals and teachers had been through the process with us so they really know what they are talking about when they give us their opinions. "

"This is important to us. Not only for planning ahead, but also because we want changes in the field of education to be made by the people who know best, by those working in that field. We want improvements to be made by those professionals, for those professionals. It is also a good way to improve the conversation between all of us." he added.

Jameela Al Muhairi, Chief of the Dubai Schools Inspection Bureau (DSIB) said: "We respect the opinion of everyone involved in education in Dubai and that is why we feel it is important to survey them after the inspection process. If we know what they think, then we can work on improving the procedure for the next round of inspections.

"This survey is especially important to us because it gives us an idea of how the teachers and principals are thinking. Their answers are quite clear and we know we have certain areas that we need to look at.

"We want you to know that the inspections have involved co-operation between inspectors, the teachers and the principals. We know this will continue. We know this has been difficult at times but we are certain that inspections are a good thing for Dubai.

"We are proud that we have carried out the inspections, and I think the results of this survey are encouraging for the future."
About the Knowledge and Human Development Authority.

The Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) is responsible for the future growth, direction and quality of education and learning in Dubai. We aim to support the people of Dubai in achieving their potential from birth and through life's journey as we work towards achieving the goals set out in the Dubai Strategic Plan 2015.