UAE government schools will replace some exams for pupils aged 11 to 13 with project-based assessments in the new academic year, in support of a major drive to bolster public education standards.
Sarah Al Amiri, Minister of Education, said the move to replace the second term central test for Cycle 2 pupils – covering grades 6 to 8 – aims to encourage children to put theoretical knowledge into practice.
The new assessment model was unveiled as the Ministry of Education set out its back-to-school action plan on Tuesday.
Hundreds of thousands of public and private school pupils will return to classrooms on Monday, August 26 following the summer break.
School expansion plan
The ministry announced 12 additional government schools will open in the new school year, while another 13 will welcome back pupils after being closed for comprehensive maintenance.
Mohammed Al Qasim, undersecretary at the ministry, said further upgrade work has been carried out at 311 public schools in the Emirates, and checks carried out on thousands of school buses.
“In collaboration with service providers, the ministry conducted thorough maintenance for all school buses ensuring their adherence to the highest safety standards, with over 5,000 school buses made available this year,” read a statement issued by the UAE Government Media Office.
“Furthermore, school transportation routes were optimised to ensure a smooth and comfortable daily commute for students.”
The ministry said it had embarked on its largest field survey to date to develop a strategic framework for pupil wellbeing.
The authority announced it was establishing a programme of school-based and extra-curricular activities designed to improve pupils' cognitive, cultural and social skills.
Long-term vision
Ms Al Amiri was appointed to her current role as Minister for Education in a UAE Cabinet reshuffle in July amid plans to restructure the sector.
She had served in her previous role as Minister of State for Public Education and Advanced Technology from 2022.
In an interview with The National in May, she spoke of her ambition to ensure government institutions would one day be the “school of choice” for Emiratis and residents.
When asked whether she hoped public schools could eventually be on par with private schools, she said: “Absolutely, this is the goal.
“When I started [her previous role] two years ago, the first request from His Highness the President was to ensure that the public school system is competitive and becomes the school of choice for Emiratis and residents across the UAE,” said Ms Al Amiri at the time.
“Strengthening our foundations means understanding and addressing underlying issues, not just surface-level fixes. We have a clear vision for transforming education in the UAE.”
Public schools are primarily for UAE citizens but they also accept some children of residents. Government education is free for Emirati pupils, but those from other countries pay fees, but at a lower cost to those typically found at private schools.
Dhadak 2
Director: Shazia Iqbal
Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri
Rating: 1/5
MATCH INFO
Karnatake Tuskers 114-1 (10 ovs)
Charles 57, Amla 47
Bangla Tigers 117-5 (8.5 ovs)
Fletcher 40, Moores 28 no, Lamichhane 2-9
Bangla Tiger win by five wickets
From Europe to the Middle East, economic success brings wealth - and lifestyle diseases
A rise in obesity figures and the need for more public spending is a familiar trend in the developing world as western lifestyles are adopted.
One in five deaths around the world is now caused by bad diet, with obesity the fastest growing global risk. A high body mass index is also the top cause of metabolic diseases relating to death and disability in Kuwait, Qatar and Oman – and second on the list in Bahrain.
In Britain, heart disease, lung cancer and Alzheimer’s remain among the leading causes of death, and people there are spending more time suffering from health problems.
The UK is expected to spend $421.4 billion on healthcare by 2040, up from $239.3 billion in 2014.
And development assistance for health is talking about the financial aid given to governments to support social, environmental development of developing countries.
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
Results
Stage seven
1. Tadej Pogacar (SLO) UAE Team Emirates, in 3:20:24
2. Adam Yates (GBR) Ineos Grenadiers, at 1s
3. Pello Bilbao (ESP) Bahrain-Victorious, at 5s
General Classification
1. Tadej Pogacar (SLO) UAE Team Emirates, in 25:38:16
2. Adam Yates (GBR) Ineos Grenadiers, at 22s
3. Pello Bilbao (ESP) Bahrain-Victorious, at 48s
'The worst thing you can eat'
Trans fat is typically found in fried and baked goods, but you may be consuming more than you think.
Powdered coffee creamer, microwave popcorn and virtually anything processed with a crust is likely to contain it, as this guide from Mayo Clinic outlines:
Baked goods - Most cakes, cookies, pie crusts and crackers contain shortening, which is usually made from partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. Ready-made frosting is another source of trans fat.
Snacks - Potato, corn and tortilla chips often contain trans fat. And while popcorn can be a healthy snack, many types of packaged or microwave popcorn use trans fat to help cook or flavour the popcorn.
Fried food - Foods that require deep frying — french fries, doughnuts and fried chicken — can contain trans fat from the oil used in the cooking process.
Refrigerator dough - Products such as canned biscuits and cinnamon rolls often contain trans fat, as do frozen pizza crusts.
Creamer and margarine - Nondairy coffee creamer and stick margarines also may contain partially hydrogenated vegetable oils.
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
Glossary of a stock market revolution
Reddit
A discussion website
Redditor
The users of Reddit
Robinhood
A smartphone app for buying and selling shares
Short seller
Selling a stock today in the belief its price will fall in the future
Short squeeze
Traders forced to buy a stock they are shorting
Naked short
An illegal practice
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
In numbers: China in Dubai
The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000
Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000
Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent
The five pillars of Islam
UK-EU trade at a glance
EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years
Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products
Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries
Smoother border management with use of e-gates
Cutting red tape on import and export of food
Racecard:
2.30pm: Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoun Emirates Breeders Society Challenge; Conditions (PA); Dh40,000; 1,600m
3pm: Handicap; Dh80,000; 1,800m
3.30pm: Jebel Ali Mile Prep Rated Conditions; Dh110,000; 1,600m
4pm: Handicap; Dh95,000; 1,950m
4.30pm: Maiden; Dh65,000; 1,400m
5pm: Handicap; Dh85,000; 1,200m
Sholto Byrnes on Myanmar politics
