Pakistani school aims to upgrade educational environment

The new management team of Pakistan Education Academy, Dubai, has embarked on an ambitious project to regain the lost credibility of the school, which used to be one of the most sought-after educational institutions for Pakistanis in Dubai and neighbouring Emirates. Rashid Ashraf, general secretary in the new committee which took over school’s control in April, said a number of initiatives have been taken to remove the tag of “Unsatisfactory” which was given by School Inspection Board of the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), Dubai. He expressed confidence that the school’s status will be upgraded to “Acceptable” level by December. The KG section has already been upgraded to “Acceptable” level by the KHDA inspectors, who paid follow through visit to the school. Despite scoring good results in examinations conducted by the Federal Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education, Islamabad, the school was losing its credibility. During the past five-six years, it lost the image of being a premier Pakistani educational institution. The management is in the process of recruiting new principal, while new vice-principals have been recruited during the past few months to reenergise the team of over 100 teachers. The new management team is also focussing on teachers training with special emphasis on the KHDA requirements and induction of technology in academic activities. Pakistan’s acclaimed educational consultant Afaq was appointed in May to review the school’s syllabus, policies, existing teaching and learning methods. The group submitted its GAP analysis report, following which an action plan was implemented to plug the gap. He said that the new team has also decided to focus on developing good features in teaching, learning and assessment; develop a creative curriculum and a student leadership body; and continuous professional development of teachers. Rashid said that the school has a good infrastructure but it has not been utilised to full capacity. “Currently about 1,400 students are enrolled in the school, while it can accommodate well over 2,200 students. That is yet another focus area for us,” he said. He also stressed that the responsible persons from the community should come forward to help them achieve the task. “This is a not-for-profit institution founded for the community. The fee is very reasonable. We need community’s support to regain its rightful status,” he added. From/ Gulf Today