Dubai: In line with its progressive and proactive nature of governance, the UAE Government has revealed its plans for a complete overhaul of the Education System and setting up of auxiliary institutions for the development of the sector.
After consultation with my brother, President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, we announce today a major structural change in the UAE’s education sector. We appointed Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi as the Minister of Education. We directed him to review all legislations and policies related to the education system in our country.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai declared.
Sheikh Mohammed elaborated that, “Also today, we announce the appointment of Sarah Al Amiri as the Minister of State for Public Education and Advanced Technology and the Chairwomen of the Emirates Schools Establishment. We directed her to develop a comprehensive plan to upgrade public schools in the country. We thank Hussain Al Hammadi and Jameela Al Muhairi for their efforts during the previous period.”
“We also announce the appointment of Sara Musallam as the Minister of State for Early Education, and to supervise the newly established Federal Authority for Early Education. Sarah will be responsible for developing comprehensive plans to follow up the child development from birth to the fourth grade. The correct development of our children is the guarantee of our education’s success,” the Ruler of Dubai revealed.
NEW STRUCTURE OF EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM
The UAE’s new education sector structure will include the Education and Human Resources Council, Federal Authority for Quality of Education, the Ministry of Education, the Federal Authority for Early Childhood Education, the Emirates Schools Establishment, along with the local educational authorities in each Emirate, which will operate according to one system and specific competencies.
FEDERAL AUTHORITY FOR QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF EDUCATION
The UAE Government will also establish the “Federal Authority for Quality and Standards of Education” affiliated to the UAE Cabinet. The Authority will be responsible for measuring the educational outcomes, student performance, and the efficiency of the educational process.
The Authority will be responsible for measuring the quality of education, auditing educational outputs related to education, early childhood education, kindergarten, public education, and higher education, in addition to submitting reports on the results and proposals to develop policies, strategies, legislation and curricula.
EDUCATION AND HUMAN RESOURCES COUNCIL
The Government will also be restructuring the “Education and Human Resources Council” which will be now chaired by H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. The Council will be responsible for supervising the project of the Future of Education in the country.
Other responsibilities managed by the Council will include setting the vision and objectives of the education sector in the UAE, developing the general framework for education and submitting it to the UAE Cabinet for approval, and developing educational policies and legislation. In addition, the Council will follow up the performance of the sector.
FEDERAL AUTHORITY FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION
Under the new structure of education sector, a new federal authority specialized in early childhood education will be created. The Authority will develop and implement comprehensive plans to follow up the child development from birth to the fourth grade. Affiliated with the UAE Cabinet, the Authority will be responsible for developing policies, strategies, legislations and programs related to the education needs of the early childhood stage.
The Authority will also be responsible for setting regulations and standards, and issuing licenses and monitoring government and private nurseries in the country in coordination with the competent local authorities, and working with parents to enhance their role in the early childhood stage.
ROLE OF MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
With the new structure in place, Ministry of Education will gain responsibility to develop policies, strategies and legislation related to public and higher education in the UAE.
The Ministry’s functions will also include managing and developing the general education framework, curricula and tools for government public education schools in the country, developing curricula for compulsory educational materials for private schools, setting standards and regulations, issuing licenses and monitoring private schools in coordination with the competent local authorities.
The Ministry of Education will also supervise international exams in the country and managing their implementation in all public, private and higher education institutions, in coordination with the concerned authorities.
In addition to the recognition of public and higher education institutions operating outside the country, equivalency of certificates and qualifications they grant, and ratification of certificates and qualifications issued by public and higher education and training institutions licensed within the country.
EMIRATES SCHOOLS ESTABLISHMENT
A new component under the new structure of the UAE Education System, Emirates Schools Establishment will be set up under the umbrella of the UAE Cabinet. The Body is expected to enhance the efficiency of the government schools and nurseries, supervise public schools in the country, and implement policies, strategies and standards related to the development of the education sector.
Under the new structure, the Establishment will also be specialized in developing student care programs, activities and events in public schools, supervising their implementation, and proposing innovative and new models for operating public schools to raise their efficiency.