The UAE Ministry of Education (MoE) has affirmed its readiness for the 2024-2025 academic year, with public schools set to reopen on Monday, 26th August 2024.
This announcement was made during a press briefing organized with the UAE Government Media Office, attended by key figures including Sarah Al Amiri, Minister of Education, and other high-ranking officials.
Sarah Al Amiri highlighted the proactive measures taken by the MoE to ensure a seamless start to the new academic year. These measures include significant upgrades to school environments, enhanced educator training, and improvements in infrastructure. Al Amiri also introduced comprehensive updates to student assessment policies, aimed at better aligning with the UAE's educational aspirations. Notably, the new assessment weightings for Cycles 2 and 3 will see a 35% focus on the first term, 30% on the second, and 35% on the third term, with formative assessments now making up 40% of the evaluation and central assessments 60%.
In addition, the central exam for Cycle 2 students in the second term will be replaced by a project-based assessment, emphasizing practical skill application. The MoE has also launched a national back-to-school campaign titled ‘From Student to Leader,’ focusing on enhancing community involvement in education.
Mohammed Al Qasim, Under-Secretary of MoE, reported extensive maintenance across 311 schools, including updates to facilities and infrastructure. New initiatives include the opening of 25 schools, a significant investment in digital resources with the conversion of books to digital formats, and the allocation of 34,000 laptops to students.
The MoE's efforts also extend to optimizing school transportation with over 5,000 buses and conducting a major survey to improve student wellbeing. The successful Freejna School project will see expansion to include more activities and partnerships.
The upcoming academic year promises to bring innovative changes aimed at fostering an enriching and supportive educational experience for students across the UAE.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
