DUBAI // State school teachers in the capital will be tested in English, maths and science to ensure their readiness for the next phase of the New School Model roll-out.
The Abu Dhabi Education Council (Adec) will extend its revised state school system to Grade 6 next year.
Before then, English, maths and science teachers for Grades 6 to 9 will have to take a Cambridge Placement Test to ascertain their readiness to teach a bilingual education model.
The online test assesses listening, reading and language knowledge skills and is based on the Common European Framework of
Reference for Languages. Based on the results, teachers will be referred for training to prepare them for the new standards and curriculum that will be adopted next year.
“This assessment will enable Adec to design and implement appropriate professional training programmes, while providing science and maths teachers with the relevant terminology,” said Dr Mugheer Khamis Al Khaili, director general of the council.
Dr Jim Mienczakowsk, vice chancellor of the Emirates College for Advanced Education in Abu Dhabi, said that teachers should not feel threatened by the tests. “They should see this as an opportunity to acquire additional skills,” he said.
“You cannot expect every person to be fully equipped with the necessary skills required for working life when they graduate. Learning on the job is a life-long process.”
Adec had previously announced that all teachers would be expected to pass the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) exam to teach in state schools.
Maths and science teachers must score a minimum of 5.5 out of 9, while English teachers must get 6.5 on the same scale.
Officials said hundreds of teachers would receive extra coaching.
In the next phase of New School Model implementation, officials will focus on improving career counselling for pupils and introducing alternatives to the two-stream system in high schools.
Dr Al Khaili added: "Adec is looking to increase the number of science graduates to help provide the labour market with doctors, engineers and other scientific discipline graduates to achieve Abu Dhabi's Economic Vision 2030."
aahmed@thenational.ae
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Election pledges on migration
CDU: "Now is the time to control the German borders and enforce strict border rejections"
SPD: "Border closures and blanket rejections at internal borders contradict the spirit of a common area of freedom"
RESULTS
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Winner: AF Senad, Nathan Crosse (jockey), Kareem Ramadan (trainer)
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Tips to stay safe during hot weather
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if you go
The flights
Emirates offer flights to Buenos Aires from Dubai, via Rio De Janeiro from around Dh6,300. emirates.com
Seeing the games
Tangol sell experiences across South America and generally have good access to tickets for most of the big teams in Buenos Aires: Boca Juniors, River Plate, and Independiente. Prices from Dh550 and include pick up and drop off from your hotel in the city. tangol.com
Staying there
Tangol will pick up tourists from any hotel in Buenos Aires, but after the intensity of the game, the Faena makes for tranquil, upmarket accommodation. Doubles from Dh1,110. faena.com
