Dubai’s Knowledge and Human Development Authority ‘KHDA’ has signed a strategic partnership agreement with International Baccalaureate ‘IB’ to support the growth of IB schools in Dubai. As part of the strategic partnership, IB representatives will accompany Dubai Schools Inspection Bureau ‘DSIB’ inspectors during their visits to IB schools.
They will ensure that DSIB inspectors are kept up-to-date with IB curriculum developments, as well as assure schools that inspection judgements are accurate.
The partnership will also aim to increase the number of schools offering the IB curriculum.
IB will support KHDA with operators planning to open IB schools in Dubai, as well as provide them with strategic advice on setting up or expanding IB schools.
In support of the UAE Vision 2021, KHDA and IB will conduct research to assess the IB programme’s impact on Emirati students’ level of participation in civic engagement, taking into account such activities as volunteering and general community involvement.
In a commemorative ceremony attended by IB director general Jeffrey Beard and principals from Uptown School, Dubai International Academy, GEMS World Academy, Jumeira Baccalaureate School, Greenfield Community School, Dar Al Marefa, Emirates International Meadows and Jumeirah, and a senior academic director from Taaleem, Dr Abdulla Al Karam, director general and chairman of the board of directors at KHDA, said, “This partnership is a key part of our commitment to support the growth of high quality education in Dubai. By providing potential operators with strategic advice about managing IB schools, we will be able to deliver world-class education to a greater number of students. The research component of this partnership is critical in measuring and instigating Emirati students’ active participation in society so that they become fully engaged international citizens of tomorrow. IB offers a challenging curriculum that produces engaged, discerning graduates ready to contribute to the Dubai Strategic Plan 2015 and UAE Vision 2021.”
Jeffrey Beard said, “IB is very pleased to be entering into this agreement which is part of our plan to develop strategic partnerships and associations in different regions of the world. A closer collaboration with KHDA will support the offer of an IB education, making it accessible to more students. The research agenda will help us to further solidify and confirm IB programme efficacy in ensuring success in life-long learning through higher education and employability.”
Six schools provide the full IB curriculum in Dubai, while others offer an IB programme for specific grade levels.
With a combined enrolment of more than 5000 students, the IB curriculum is one of 13 offered by Dubai’s private schools.
Students from IB curriculum schools were found to have the highest proficiency among Dubai’s private school students in Mathematics, Reading and Science in the 2009 international benchmarking exam Programme for International Assessment ‘PISA’, scoring 30 points above the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development ‘OECD’ average of 500.
Between the 2008/09 and 2011/12 academic years, student enrolments at IB schools in Dubai have increased by 66%, well above the increase of 19% in student enrolments across all Dubai private schools.
In that time, enrolments at IB schools in Dubai have grown from 1.8% to 2.5% of all private school enrolments in Dubai.
