The UAE has announced a major overhaul of its student assessment policies, particularly for students in the second cycle (grades five through eight).
Traditional exams will be replaced with skill-based evaluations as part of a broader initiative to enhance educational outcomes in line with the nation’s strategic goals.
Sarah Al Amiri, Minister of State for Public Education and Advanced Technology, highlighted that these policy changes are evidence-based and aligned with global best practices.
"The central exam for Cycle 2 students in the second term has been replaced with a project-based assessment that focuses on skill measurement and helps students put theoretical knowledge into practice,"
she said. This shift aims to enrich the learning experience and better prepare students for future challenges.
The updated policies also include changes to the weighting of academic terms. For Cycles 2 and 3, the first term will now carry 35% of the overall grade, with the second and third terms weighted at 30% and 35%, respectively. This adjustment reflects the varying lengths and academic expectations of each term.
Furthermore, the Ministry of Education has revised the balance between formative and central assessments, allocating 40% to continuous, formative assessments and 60% to central exams. This change underscores the importance of ongoing evaluation throughout the academic year.
In tandem with these assessment updates, the Ministry has also expanded educational infrastructure, opening 25 new schools, 12 of which are newly established and 13 that have been reopened after maintenance.
These comprehensive updates mark a significant step in the UAE's efforts to foster a more skills-oriented and holistic educational environment.
News Source: Khaleej Times
