Teacher offers lesson in inspection approach
In response to the letter ‘Oh dear, here come the school inspectors again’ (Jan 10), I am a teacher at a large International school in Dubai and I agree with Molly B Bear.
It is good that the Dubai government is trying to inspect schools and make sure that certain standards are being met or achieved. However, I have now been through the experience for four years consecutively and all the inspection process does is put pressure on teachers and head teachers to try to achieve ‘outstanding’ for the sole purpose of being able to put the school fees up!
I have friends who work in schools around Dubai and it is true that some schools do completely change for the week that the inspectors visit. In the UK, for example, schools that are doing well only get inspected every three years. This makes sense and also gives schools a chance to improve and make changes that can often take more than a year to implement. It is my understanding that inspectors that come into Dubai schools are from a company that is paid to carry out the inspections.
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This company is never going to suggest that schools that are doing well and do not need to be inspected every single year as they want the yearly business.
Schools need an inspection process but one that is realistic and has meaning. In the UK quite often schools that need to improve are put in touch with other schools who may be able to work with them to help them achieve success. This could never happen in Dubai as we are all private schools in competition.
I’m not sure how or if this process will change but I do know that it is an extremely stressful time for teachers and older children who feel the burden of expectation. We all want to do a good job. I love my job and I hope that I would always continue to do a good job whether the inspectors were here or not.
Dubai Teacher, Dubai
Comments
by Mallking
Monday, January 14 2013, 11:55AM
“couldn't agree more, schools should only be called outstanding when they comply to a continuous improvement program throughout the whole year, not just for an inspection date. If the inspection is designed to consider schools outstanding for a single day in order to put the fees up then they do not have their eye on academic achievements and this will be the downfall of Dubai in the end. Quite simply, families will not move to Dubai if the education system provide sub-standard education.”
by chicken4247
Sunday, January 13 2013, 6:56PM
“Damn right there is something wrong, its a joke!”
by avanwyk1971
Sunday, January 13 2013, 12:24PM
“This Whole KHDA Inspection process is such a farce. What KHDA Should do, is have unscheduled visits, throughout the whole year.
This way the schools will not be in a position to coach the staff and students before the KHDA visit. My Daughter has the same process every Year, Wear this, Behave like this , learn this....
Why be forced into doing a "Good Job" during certain times of the year.
With all due respect, if the teachers need to UP Their Game to achieve "outstanding" during the inspection period what is going on with the Non Inspection Periods...... Are the standard not the same.
Slack off when the inspections are not held, and pick it up during the inspections.
There is something wrong with the System (Schools and Academic Staff), Don't you think?”