DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES , March 22 – 2020 :- Zack Stewart , Grade 12 teacher at the Dubai American Academy taking online class from his home in the Springs in Dubai. Today is the first day of distance learning as all the schools are closed as a preventive measure against coronavirus. (Pawan Singh / The National) For News/Online/Instagram. Story by Sarwat Nasir
DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES , March 22 – 2020 :- Zack Stewart , Grade 12 teacher at the Dubai American Academy taking online class from his home in the Springs in Dubai. Today is the first day of distance learning as all the schools are closed as a preventive measure against coronavirus. (Pawan Singh / The National) For News/Online/Instagram. Story by Sarwat Nasir
DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES , March 22 – 2020 :- Zack Stewart , Grade 12 teacher at the Dubai American Academy taking online class from his home in the Springs in Dubai. Today is the first day of distance learning as all the schools are closed as a preventive measure against coronavirus. (Pawan Singh / The National) For News/Online/Instagram. Story by Sarwat Nasir
DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES , March 22 – 2020 :- Zack Stewart , Grade 12 teacher at the Dubai American Academy taking online class from his home in the Springs in Dubai. Today is the first day of dist

Coronavirus: UAE schools to be inspected over e-learning quality


Sarwat Nasir
  • English
  • Arabic

Schools across the country will be inspected to determine how well they are delivering e-learning classes.

Inspectors will be able to jump into virtual classes to observe teachers and pupils, while principals will be interviewed by officials.

The Ministry of Education and Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah's education regulators will assess public and private schools this month.

Each school will be subject to virtual inspections lasting about five hours.

I am certain the regulators will be aware of the pressure teachers and leaders, pupils and parents are under at this point of time

News of the checks came in a post on the website of Dubai private school regulator the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA).

"The Distance Learning Evaluation has been developed to create shared expectations of distance learning for schools, parents and students and to provide schools with feedback in order to help them improve key aspects of their provision," KHDA said.

"It will include online meetings with the principal and senior leadership team, as well as remote observation of lessons. Schools will be given prior notice of an evaluation."

Inspectors will focus on how pupils learn remotely and their general well-being, how teachers monitor pupils' progress and how schools are now led and managed, KHDA said.

Alan Williamson, chief executive of Taaleem, the country's second largest private school operator with 13 schools, said the inspections were a good opportunity to reflect on the major changes seen in the past two months.

"I am certain the regulators will be aware of the pressure teachers and leaders, pupils and parents are under at this point of time," he told The National.

"And while we fully understand and support the need for the Distance Learning Evaluation to ensure high standards, I am confident from our experience in the pilot that this will be approached empathetically by all involved, given the challenges that some families are currently facing.”

Neil Matthews, principal of Gems Wellington Academy Al Khail, said his school has already reviewed and refined distance learning as the programme has continued.

“This has been in response to feedback from pupils, parents and teachers and our internal quality assurance and monitoring processes," he said.

Annual inspections are seen as crucial to raising standards but also allow private schools to raise fees.

The amount each school can increase fees by each year depends on the rating they are given, with those rated very good or excellent allowed the largest rises.

In February, Dubai's regulator froze fees for the academic 2021-2022 to provide families with some financial relief.

The specs
  • Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
  • Power: 640hp
  • Torque: 760nm
  • On sale: 2026
  • Price: Not announced yet
Results
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The specs

Engine: 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6

Power: 380hp at 5,800rpm

Torque: 530Nm at 1,300-4,500rpm

Transmission: Eight-speed auto

Price: From Dh299,000 ($81,415)

On sale: Now

Q&A with Dash Berlin

Welcome back. What was it like to return to RAK and to play for fans out here again?
It’s an amazing feeling to be back in the passionate UAE again. Seeing the fans having a great time that is what it’s all about.

You're currently touring the globe as part of your Legends of the Feels Tour. How important is it to you to include the Middle East in the schedule?
The tour is doing really well and is extensive and intensive at the same time travelling all over the globe. My Middle Eastern fans are very dear to me, it’s good to be back.

You mix tracks that people know and love, but you also have a visually impressive set too (graphics etc). Is that the secret recipe to Dash Berlin's live gigs?
People enjoying the combination of the music and visuals are the key factor in the success of the Legends Of The Feel tour 2018.

Have you had some time to explore Ras al Khaimah too? If so, what have you been up to?
Coming fresh out of Las Vegas where I continue my 7th annual year DJ residency at Marquee, I decided it was a perfect moment to catch some sun rays and enjoy the warm hospitality of Bab Al Bahr.

 

Specs

Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request

Long read

Mageed Yahia, director of WFP in UAE: Coronavirus knows no borders, and neither should the response

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