British schools in the UAE are combining IGCSE and GCSE models to create unique curricula tailored for their pupils - amid fierce debate over the merits of the two qualifications.
Discussions over the benefits and difficulty levels of IGCSE and GCSE curriculum are taking place in schools across the UK, where many educators believe the new model of GCSE is tougher and leaving weaker pupils behind.
British schools in UAE remain unaffected by the changes as they offer a combination of both. The new GCSE model has reconfigured the GCSE examinations to become more rigorous and now uses a numerical scoring system, from 1 to 9, whereby 1 is equivalent to a G grade and 9 an A*.
The IGCSE system relies more heavily upon coursework and provide a broader ange of topics for teachers to choose from.
The General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) is an academic qualification, generally taken in a number of subjects by pupils in secondary education in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
The International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) is an English language curriculum offered to students to prepare them for International Baccalaureate and A levels.
Brendan Law, vice president, British Cluster Lead at Gems Education, said the debate between the two curricula has swung like a pendulum, with the IGCSE previously viewed as the tougher of the two.
“According to The Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation in the UK, IGCSEs and GCSEs should be treated as one and the same in terms of standard and level of qualification. I have never seen universities favouring one over the other," said Mr Law.
The educator believes it is not simply a case of picking one system but to understand which specific course and exam board is best for the children at a particular school, on a subject by subject basis.
Back in the UK, Craig Fleming, Assistant Head Master at The Skinner's School Grammar in southern England, told The National the new GCSE's will disproportionately favour high achievers and that "there remains a strong element of doubt how they will serve the less able and those with special needs".
The 2017 GCSE results saw schools in the UAE celebrating record high scores, with 86 per cent of students achieving A*-C grades.
GCSE results in the UK last year showed a stark contrast between the new linear exams and the IGCSE's. Less than 20 per cent of students managed to receive a grade 4, considered the equivalent of a low C, in English and just over 20 per cent in Maths. In contrast, English Literature IGCSE students in the UK enjoyed an almost 90 per cent A* - C result.
Former Secretary of State for Education Justine Greening has emphasised that in the new GCSE exams "a 'standard pass' is a credible achievement and one that should be valued as a passport to future study and employment".
Fiona McKenzie, director of Gabbitas Middle East, an educational consultant based in Dubai, explained that international schools traditionally opt for the IGCSE exams as they are designed for the international market and are less UK centric in their subject matter.
“The academic rigour added to their credibility. With the reformed GCSEs there is some debate as to whether this is still the case. But it is really early to tell,” said Ms McKenzie.
“The focus on terminal exam-based assessment does mean that they are far from ideal for special needs pupils as these are long exams and value skills of writing and recall rather than measure understanding and ability,” she said.
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“Talking to heads of schools in the UAE they are cautioning about making judgements too early about relative performance and trends when the new GCSEs are still new and patterns can't yet emerge,” she said.
Clive Pierrepont, director of communications at education provider Taaleem, said IGCSE has a coursework element and people thought was perhaps easier and less intensive than an end of course exam.
"Some universities lean towards GCSE rather than IGCSE. They won’t give a reason, but there has been some bias reported,” he said.
“I think there should be many pathways within schools and exams such as GCSE or IGCSE are not necessarily the be-all and end-all. I believe in vocational education alternatives.
"We need to rethink our examination system. This is considered by many to be an outdated system that doesn’t necessarily teach the skills crucial for future success. Many children do not fit easily into narrow academic lanes," he said.
The educator believes Dubai's education sector's ability to innovate helps pupils.
"The children in international private schools here mainly come from motivated, middle-class families. The education here is as good if not better than most schools in the UK. There is a tremendous amount of innovation in schools happening here" he said.
*Additional reporting by Chris Greaves
Other key dates
-
Finals draw: December 2
-
Finals (including semi-finals and third-placed game): June 5–9, 2019
-
Euro 2020 play-off draw: November 22, 2019
-
Euro 2020 play-offs: March 26–31, 2020
How the UAE gratuity payment is calculated now
Employees leaving an organisation are entitled to an end-of-service gratuity after completing at least one year of service.
The tenure is calculated on the number of days worked and does not include lengthy leave periods, such as a sabbatical. If you have worked for a company between one and five years, you are paid 21 days of pay based on your final basic salary. After five years, however, you are entitled to 30 days of pay. The total lump sum you receive is based on the duration of your employment.
1. For those who have worked between one and five years, on a basic salary of Dh10,000 (calculation based on 30 days):
a. Dh10,000 ÷ 30 = Dh333.33. Your daily wage is Dh333.33
b. Dh333.33 x 21 = Dh7,000. So 21 days salary equates to Dh7,000 in gratuity entitlement for each year of service. Multiply this figure for every year of service up to five years.
2. For those who have worked more than five years
c. 333.33 x 30 = Dh10,000. So 30 days’ salary is Dh10,000 in gratuity entitlement for each year of service.
Note: The maximum figure cannot exceed two years total salary figure.
Dubai World Cup factbox
Most wins by a trainer: Godolphin’s Saeed bin Suroor(9)
Most wins by a jockey: Jerry Bailey(4)
Most wins by an owner: Godolphin(9)
Most wins by a horse: Godolphin’s Thunder Snow(2)
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Cryopreservation: A timeline
- Keyhole surgery under general anaesthetic
- Ovarian tissue surgically removed
- Tissue processed in a high-tech facility
- Tissue re-implanted at a time of the patient’s choosing
- Full hormone production regained within 4-6 months
Jetour T1 specs
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The specs: 2018 Harley-Davidson Fat Boy
Price, base / as tested Dh97,600
Engine 1,745cc Milwaukee-Eight v-twin engine
Transmission Six-speed gearbox
Power 78hp @ 5,250rpm
Torque 145Nm @ 3,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined 5.0L / 100km (estimate)
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Manchester City 5 Swansea City 0
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The specs
Engine: 3.8-litre twin-turbo flat-six
Power: 650hp at 6,750rpm
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Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
- Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
- Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
- Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
- Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
- Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
- The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
- Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269
*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
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- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
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Need to know
Unlike other mobile wallets and payment apps, a unique feature of eWallet is that there is no need to have a bank account, credit or debit card to do digital payments.
Customers only need a valid Emirates ID and a working UAE mobile number to register for eWallet account.
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.
Recent winners
2002 Giselle Khoury (Colombia)
2004 Nathalie Nasralla (France)
2005 Catherine Abboud (Oceania)
2007 Grace Bijjani (Mexico)
2008 Carina El-Keddissi (Brazil)
2009 Sara Mansour (Brazil)
2010 Daniella Rahme (Australia)
2011 Maria Farah (Canada)
2012 Cynthia Moukarzel (Kuwait)
2013 Layla Yarak (Australia)
2014 Lia Saad (UAE)
2015 Cynthia Farah (Australia)
2016 Yosmely Massaad (Venezuela)
2017 Dima Safi (Ivory Coast)
2018 Rachel Younan (Australia)
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OPINIONS ON PALESTINE & ISRAEL
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