Abu Dhabi to rate private schools on national identity mark

Abu Dhabi: Private schools in Abu Dhabi will now be rated on the quality of their national identity programs as part of the national identity mark.

The annual school rating system launched by the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (Adek) aims to increase transparency and empower parents to choose the ideal school environment for their children.

The National Identity Flag aims to deepen Emirati students’ understanding of deep-rooted Emirati traditions, customs and values, thereby empowering them and enabling them to navigate a diverse global landscape with a solid foundation based on their own cultural background.

The assessment framework covers three main areas. The culture area focuses on knowledge of history, heritage and the Arabic language. The values ​​domain promotes respect, compassion and global understanding. The civic realm focuses on encouraging a sense of belonging, volunteering and conservation.

“We recognize the importance of developing a strong sense of national identity that can immerse our Emirati students in their culture. The launch of the National Identity Mark and Inspection Framework will provide parents with valuable insight into the quality of private schools’ national identity programs Insights. Strengthening a sense of national identity through education is crucial for many parents as it helps instill a sense of belonging and pride in their children,” said Sarah Musalam, Minister of State for Early Education and Chairman of the Federal Early Childhood Agency , and Chairman Adek.

“By strengthening national identity through educational programs, schools can support students to learn more about their roots, traditions and values. The National Identity Mark will increase transparency and accountability while enabling parents to make informed decisions about their children’s education. This directly Supporting well-rounded individuals who are proud of their Emirati identity and capable of actively representing Abu Dhabi and the UAE globally,” she added.

The National Identity Mark ranking will be assessed separately from Adek’s annual Irtiqa’a inspection, which covers performance standards for private schools in the emirate and provides recommendations for improving performance. Stage 1 ratings are due to be released by the end of the academic year, with schools rated as excellent, good, acceptable or poor based on the quality of their national identity programs.

The implementation of the new rating system will assess the curriculum and school culture to help ensure educational equity, transparency and accountability in all Abu Dhabi private schools enrolling Emirati students. In addition, schools will have the opportunity to further strengthen and develop their national identity programmes.

ADEK will give priority to schools with the largest number of students in the UAE in the first phase. Schools without national enrollment may request an evaluation if they have relevant programs and activities that immerse foreign students in the country’s rich heritage.