Staff giving sweets to Kabir Singh Pujji, left, and Bhumit Singh, centre, after they received they IB results at Gems Modern Academy at Nad Al Sheba in Dubai. All photos: Pawan Singh / The National
Staff giving sweets to Kabir Singh Pujji, left, and Bhumit Singh, centre, after they received they IB results at Gems Modern Academy at Nad Al Sheba in Dubai. All photos: Pawan Singh / The National
Pupils congratulate each other after receiving their IB results at Gems Modern Academy.
Pupils congratulate each other after receiving their IB results at Gems Modern Academy.
Varun Pabreja with his parents after receiving his IB results at Gems Modern Academy.
Varun Pabreja with his parents after receiving his IB results at Gems Modern Academy.
Pupils with their parents arrive to receive their IB results.
Pupils with their parents arrive to receive their IB results.
Principle Nargish Khambatta talks to pupils on results day at Gems Modern Academy.
Principle Nargish Khambatta talks to pupils on results day at Gems Modern Academy.
Drishtee Johar gets a hug from principal Ms Nargish Khambatta at Gems Modern Academy.
Drishtee Johar gets a hug from principal Ms Nargish Khambatta at Gems Modern Academy.
Jay Sunil Goenka, left, and Sumanyu Tonapi are happy after receiving their IB results at Gems Modern Academy.
Jay Sunil Goenka, left, and Sumanyu Tonapi are happy after receiving their IB results at Gems Modern Academy.
Left to Right: Kabir Singh Pujji, Trisha Agarwal and Bhumit Singh pose after receiving their IB results at Gems Modern Academy.
Left to Right: Kabir Singh Pujji, Trisha Agarwal and Bhumit Singh pose after receiving their IB results at Gems Modern Academy.
Manav Sankaran receives his IB results from Sunipa Neogi, IB co-ordinator at Gems Modern Academy.
Manav Sankaran receives his IB results from Sunipa Neogi, IB co-ordinator at Gems Modern Academy.
Jay Sunil Goenka, left, and Sumanyu Tonapi are happy after receiving their IB results.
Jay Sunil Goenka, left, and Sumanyu Tonapi are happy after receiving their IB results.
Bhumit Singh smiles after receiving his results.
Bhumit Singh smiles after receiving his results.
Pupils and their parents arriving to receive their IB results.
Pupils and their parents arriving to receive their IB results.
Pupils at Gems Modern Academy get their IB results.
Pupils at Gems Modern Academy get their IB results.
Left to right: Kabir Singh Pujji, Trisha Agarwal and Bhumit Singh are excited after receiving their IB results.
Left to right: Kabir Singh Pujji, Trisha Agarwal and Bhumit Singh are excited after receiving their IB results.
Pupils congratulate each other at Gems Modern Academy.
Pupils congratulate each other at Gems Modern Academy.
Pupils received their IB results at Gems Modern Academy.
Pupils received their IB results at Gems Modern Academy.
Trisha Agarwal after receiving her IB results.
Trisha Agarwal after receiving her IB results.

UAE

Education

UAE pupils score two points higher than global average in IB results

Pupils sat the International Baccalaureate exams in person for the first time since 2019

Anam Rizvi
Anam Rizvi

July 06, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

UAE pupils outshone their global counterparts with an average score of 34.03 in the International Baccalaureate diploma results this year.

For the diploma programme globally, total points averaged 31.98 this year, a dip from 32.99 last year.

To receive the IB diploma a pupil needs to score 24 points or more. UAE pupils had a 94.28 per cent pass rate in 2022 while the global pass rate was 85.6.

The average grade per subject in the UAE was 5.39 out of 7 in 2022, while the average grade worldwide was 5.12.

I was beyond elated. It was much beyond anything I was expecting
Trisha Agrawal,
17

In May, pupils sat the summer International Baccalaureate exams in person for the first time since 2019. Last year, pupils were given grades based on internal assessments, an extended essay and predicted scores.

In the UAE, more than 2,000 pupils received their IB results at 4pm on Wednesday, although schools received the results a day in advance.

Drishtee Johar gets a hug from her principal, Nargish Khambatta, for her IB results at Gems Modern Academy, Nad Al Sheba, Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
Drishtee Johar gets a hug from her principal, Nargish Khambatta, for her IB results at Gems Modern Academy, Nad Al Sheba, Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

Pupils could access their results online. On Wednesday, 173,878 pupils around the world received their results.

Of the 12,614 pupils around the world who scored more than 40 points in the IB, 337 pupils were in the UAE.

Last year, IB diploma programme pupils in the UAE scored an average of 35.89 points, out of a maximum of 45.

Gems Modern Academy in Nad Al Sheba announced results to pupils on Tuesday evening, a day early.

Bhumit Singh, 17, a pupil at the school scored 40 out of 45.

"It feels terrific. I was really, really stressed before. Just before I got my results, every sort of scenario went through my head. I'm really happy with the final result," Bhumit said.

The pupil had a conditional offer from the University of British Columbia, in Vancouver, and needed to get 38 to get admission.

The pupil scored a six in math and physics and can now transfer some credits and skip courses.

Jay Goenka, 17, an Indian pupil at the school, scored 41 out of 45 and will be heading to the University of Illinois to study computer engineering.

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“I was quite nervous with a couple of the papers because some of these were quite hard. So it is a big relief that I was able to score seven in chemistry," Jay said.

The pupil said that sitting the exams was challenging because they occasionally had more than one subject on the same day.

"It was something I wasn't looking forward to but it was a good experience," he said.

He scored a six out of seven in mathematics and got sevens in physics and chemistry, which will mean he can skip a few courses at university and use the time to do internships.

Kabir Pujji, an 18-year-old Indian pupil at the school, scored 33 points.

"I'm not particularly happy with the scores but I'm happy to have met my university conditional," said the pupil who will be studying at the University of British Columbia.

"In some subjects, I did better than expected and in others, I did a lot worse," Kabir said.

The pupil will head to Canada to pursue bachelor's studies in computer science and later a master's degree in management.

Trisha Agrawal, 17, an Indian pupil, scored 41 and will be heading to Sauder School of Business in Canada to study marketing in the autumn.

"I was beyond elated. It was much beyond anything I was expecting," she said.

Nargish Khambatta, principal at Gems Modern Academy, said the cohort's average was 35.95.

Of the 87 candidates registered for the May 2022 session, 25 per cent of the pupils achieved 40 points or higher.

Ms Khambatta spoke of the resilience of pupils because some had lost relatives during the pandemic or had family businesses take a hit, but the children had persevered.

North London Collegiate School in Dubai had 23 pupils sit the IB exams this year, with an average score of 38.1. At the school, two pupils achieved a score of 43 out of 45 and 40 per cent scored more than 40 out of 45.

James Monaghan, principal at the school, said that it was much better for pupils to sit the exams in person as the results will more accurately reflect what they have learnt.

“It’s an actual test of their knowledge and a much more realistic representation of what they can achieve. The way it’s been operated during Covid is not good for anybody because there is a certain degree of uncertainty," Mr Monaghan said.

“Ninety-five per cent of our pupils have got their first choice of university; 60 per cent of the pupils are going to the UK, 30 per cent to the US, and about 10 per cent to other parts of the world.”

Sumanyu Tonapi receiving his IB results from Sunipa Neogi, IB co-ordinator at Gems Modern Academy. Pawan Singh / The National
Sumanyu Tonapi receiving his IB results from Sunipa Neogi, IB co-ordinator at Gems Modern Academy. Pawan Singh / The National

Leigh Girven, principal at Greenfield International School, said they had 44 pupils sit for the diploma and 12 pupils for the careers-related programme.

"Our average score this year is 35.7, which is a huge increase since the last face-to-face exam in 2019, where our average was 31.25," Ms Girven said.

“It’s a very strong move upwards for our pupils and we think most of it is down to rigorous monitoring and checking from our teachers, and parental support.

“Students do find the face-to-face exams more challenging because they have to revise a larger amount of content. The worldwide average dropped by a point this year and I think all schools find the face-to-face exams more challenging.”

Going into the third year of the pandemic has not made exam season any easier, with school officials saying the children were doing exceptionally well under the circumstances.

“To say that this cohort of graduates and their teachers have had it tough, is an understatement. They have faced the challenges of distance learning, and irregular examination practice opportunities; to have done as well as they all have is a monumental achievement," said Glen Radojkovich, deputy director of IB curriculum at Taaleem.

Taaleem schools had a 100 per cent pass rate with pupils scoring an average of 35.7 points.

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August 1-5: First Test, Edgbaston

August 14-18: Second Test, Lord's

August 22-26: Third Test, Headingley

September 4-8: Fourth Test, Old Trafford

September 12-16: Fifth Test, Oval

Paatal Lok season two

Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy 

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Dhadak

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Stars: 3

The specs

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Vaccine Progress in the Middle East
Key findings of Jenkins report
  • Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
  • Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
  • Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
  • Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
Thanksgiving meals to try

World Cut Steakhouse, Habtoor Palace Hotel, Dubai. On Thursday evening, head chef Diego Solis will be serving a high-end sounding four-course meal that features chestnut veloute with smoked duck breast, turkey roulade accompanied by winter vegetables and foie gras and pecan pie, cranberry compote and popcorn ice cream.

Jones the Grocer, various locations across the UAE. Jones’s take-home holiday menu delivers on the favourites: whole roast turkeys, an array of accompaniments (duck fat roast potatoes, sausages wrapped in beef bacon, honey-glazed parsnips and carrots) and more, as  well as festive food platters, canapes and both apple and pumpkin pies.

Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, The Address Hotel, Dubai. This New Orleans-style restaurant is keen to take the stress out of entertaining, so until December 25 you can order a full seasonal meal from its Takeaway Turkey Feast menu, which features turkey, homemade gravy and a selection of sides – think green beans with almond flakes, roasted Brussels sprouts, sweet potato casserole and bread stuffing – to pick up and eat at home.

The Mattar Farm Kitchen, Dubai. From now until Christmas, Hattem Mattar and his team will be producing game- changing smoked turkeys that you can enjoy at home over the festive period.

Nolu’s, The Galleria Mall, Maryah Island Abu Dhabi. With much of the menu focused on a California inspired “farm to table” approach (with Afghani influence), it only seems right that Nolu’s will be serving their take on the Thanksgiving spread, with a brunch at the Downtown location from 12pm to 4pm on Friday.

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GOLF’S RAHMBO

- 5 wins in 22 months as pro
- Three wins in past 10 starts
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- Ranked 551th in world on debut, now No 4 (was No 2 earlier this year)
- 5th player in last 30 years to win 3 European Tour and 2 PGA Tour titles before age 24 (Woods, Garcia, McIlroy, Spieth)

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.

UAE currency
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBERS

Estijaba – 8001717 –  number to call to request coronavirus testing

Ministry of Health and Prevention – 80011111

Dubai Health Authority – 800342 – The number to book a free video or voice consultation with a doctor or connect to a local health centre

Emirates airline – 600555555

Etihad Airways – 600555666

Ambulance – 998

Knowledge and Human Development Authority – 8005432 ext. 4 for Covid-19 queries

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Who: Marseille v Atletico Madrid
Where: Parc OL, Lyon, France
When: Wednesday, 10.45pm kick off (UAE)
TV: BeIN Sports

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SPECS
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Updated: July 07, 2022, 4:31 AM
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