Taking a step into the future of education, Rahhal, a new platform launched by Dubai’s Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) now allows students to enjoy greater learning opportunities - anywhere and anytime. The pilot phase is being launched by KHDA as part of 10x, a Dubai Future Foundation initiative which aims to take Dubai ten years into the future within two years.
Three students at Indian High School (IHS) in Dubai will be among the first to experience the platform and benefit from out-of-school learning opportunities. Two among three students excel in sports and one wants to focus on technology. KHDA expects the Rahhal programme to revolutionise the education system in the UAE.
Tanisha Crasto, a 14 years old student in year 10 at IHS is a highly skilled badminton player and trains for more than six hours a day. She is happy to be part of a programme where she can focus on her sport and yet get an education.
“We have a very busy schedule and its really difficult managing studies with six hours of training every day. Our teachers and friends help out with notes and any questions I have. I usually attend classes in the evening after my training, but now with Rahhal, I’ll be able to focus more on badminton without going to school.”
The requirement that students attend school formally, is removed when students sign up for Rahhal. This makes the UAE a real option for students that need to focus on their sport or passion, according to Clifford Castro, Tanisha's father.
“Until last week I was not sure if I would keep my daughter in the UAE. Here I didn’t have a platform where she could represent the UAE. However, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, signed a decree a few days ago saying that anyone who’s born in the UAE can represent the country. Now with Rahhal we have the means of study allowing us to build study time around her sport.”
Another student who will be part of the pilot is Tanish George, a swimmer who has won 200 medals so far. The 14 year old also trains for five to six hours a day.
Viji Susan, Tanish’s mum says Rahhal gives them flexibility and school's support in her child's education and career.
“It gives us a lot of flexibility as 90% attendance is compulsory in the school but with his schedule that’s not always possible. By signing the agreement, the school has promised us that when he comes back from a competition or special training, there will be separate classes for him. We as parents are happy about it as we don’t have to then search for another tutor to get him up to speed academically.
He has little time: There’s morning and evening training for him with no rest. It’s a continuous journey, he has not had a single day off for the last 5 years."
The Indian High School was the first to enroll for Rahhal and the school has a committee to take up such cases. Dr Ashok Kumar, CEO of Indian High School said: “There’s a subcommittee in the school which will scrutinise each and every case that comes to us and decide whether it falls in the parameters where it's not breaking any law, or where people won’t misuse the programme. We’ll see that the child has admission into a particular academy and is able to do well. We do the initial scrutiny and, once we are satisfied, then we present it to the KHDA, they agree to it and then they will be registered in the Rahhal programme, where the attendance will come from the academy and the school when they are back. They will graduate from the school as well as an academy.”
Dr Abdulla Al Karam, Chairman of the board of directors and director-general of KHDA said, “We are taking a big leap away from the traditional model of education and experiencing the future of learning. Rahhal is all about giving students a chance to experience their full potential and benefit from learning both within and outside the school. This marks a milestone for all of working in the education sector.
Hind Al Mualla, Chief of Creativity, Happiness and Innovation at KHDA said: “Rahhal is all about students designing the school and their learning. This is the first pilot programme and we want to see the experiment through. We are collaborating with the parents and students to see the impact of Rahhal on students learning.”