The UAE Ministry of Education (MoE) has announced its readiness for the 2024-2025 academic year, confirming that public schools will welcome students back on Monday, 26 August 2024. This preparation comes as a result of the hard work of all MoE teams, ensuring a smooth start to the new school year. The announcement was made at a press briefing organised by the MoE and the UAE Government Media Office.
Key attendees included Her Excellency Sarah Bint Yousif Al Amiri, UAE Minister of State for Public Education and Advanced Technology and Chairwoman of the UAE Space Agency, Mohammed Al Qasim, Under-Secretary of MoE, Sulaiman Al Kaabi, Executive Director of the Students’ Wellbeing Sector and Dr Omar Al Dhaheri, Acting Executive Director of the Corporate Services Sector, along with local media representatives.
During the meeting, Her Excellency Sarah Bint Yousif Al Amiri highlighted that the MoE has implemented proactive plans well before the end of the previous academic year. These plans, developed with various partners, aim to enhance the school environment, improve educator skills, and upgrade infrastructure and support services.
Her Excellency Sarah Bint Yousif Al Amiri Announces Updates On Student Assessment Policies
Her Excellency Sarah Bint Yousif Al Amiri also introduced updates to student assessment policies across all education levels. These changes are designed to improve educational outcomes and align with the UAE leadership's goals. Key updates include revised assessment weightings and adjustments to formative and central assessments.
For the upcoming year, the evaluation weightings for students in the UAE educational system will be as follows:
For cycle two, which is grades six to eight, and cycle three, which is grades nine to 12, the evaluation weightings have been updated to ensure a more balanced assessment.
The first term will contribute 35% to the total grade due to its longer duration. The second term will account for 30% of the overall grade, while the third term will also make up 35%.
These adjustments align with the term lengths and objectives, providing a more accurate evaluation of students' performance throughout the year.
Besides this, for cycle two, which is grades six to eight, and cycle three, which is grades nine to 12, MoE has updated the assessment percentages. Formative assessments will now make up 40% of the grade, while central assessments at the end of each term will account for 60%.
These changes are based on an analysis showing the value of ongoing assessments throughout the year rather than just end-of-term exams.
Additionally, the central exam for cycle two students in the second term will be replaced with a project-based assessment. This new approach focuses on measuring skills and applying knowledge in practice, enhancing learning outcomes.
The Ministry has also launched a national back-to-school campaign called ‘From Student to Leader.’ This campaign aims to engage the community in supporting students and developing future leaders, with a focus on four key areas: the educational system, teachers, parents, and students.
A Special Committee Established To Oversee Operations
Mohammed Al Qasim mentioned that a special committee was formed in January to oversee preparations for the new academic year. A dedicated team of engineers and specialists managed school maintenance to ensure the highest standards of readiness, providing a safe and healthy environment for students and educators. This year, 25 schools have been opened, including 12 new schools and 13 that have reopened after extensive maintenance.
Mohammed Al Qasim also highlighted that the Ministry's teams have completed maintenance for 311 schools, including upgrades to buildings, facilities, and infrastructure. Support services have included printing approximately 10 million textbooks and converting 3,706,000 books into digital formats, with 10 million printed copies produced to support digital resources. Additionally, 34,000 laptops will be distributed to students in grades five and nine.
Over 5,000 School Buses Available This Year
In partnership with service providers, MoE has carried out extensive maintenance on all school buses to meet the highest safety standards. This year, over 5,000 school buses will be in operation. Additionally, school transportation routes have been optimised to ensure a smooth and comfortable daily commute for students.
30 New Projects To Boost Student's Cognitive And Other Skills
Additionally, a detailed list of curricular and extracurricular programs and activities is being designed. Over 30 new projects will be launched in the upcoming academic year to enhance students' cognitive, cultural, and social skills. The roster will also feature various programs and initiatives aimed at fostering a supportive educational environment for talented students.