PRIVATE SCHOOLS & QUALITY ASSURANCE SECTOR English.pdf · Private Schools & Quality Assurance...

Private Schools & Quality Assurance Sector

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PRIVATE SCHOOLS &QUALITY ASSURANCESECTOR


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Private Schools &Quality Assurance Sector


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Abu Dhabi Education Council

Policy, Planning & Performance Management

Promotion and Business Development

Licensing & Accreditation

Inspection & Monitoring

School Development

C O N T E N T S

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The Abu Dhabi Education Council is the education authority for the Emirate of Abu Dhabi which is responsible

for managing, guiding, adopting and implementing various educational development strategies and initiatives

in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. While primarily responsible for the management and administration of the Emirate’s

public schools, it is responsible for licensing, monitoring and inspecting the Emirate’s private schools.

The Council is mandated to elevate the quality of education in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi to the highest

international standards, ensuring that all residents have access to high-quality education.


ADECVision

Education First: Recognized as a world class

education system that supports all learners in

reaching their full potential to compete in the

global market.

ADECMission

To produce world-class learners who embody

a strong sense of culture and heritage and are

prepared to meet global challenges.


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ADEC’s core values are the foundation principles to improve performance:

Teamwork Emphasize the virtues of cooperation and coordination

Integrity Do the right thing no matter what the circumstances are

Transparency Open true and honest communication and action

Respect Respect children, colleagues, parents and community

Accountability Take personal responsibility for action

Compassion Care and responsibility toward others

ADEC’s core values

Respect Accountability

Co

mpassion

Team

work

Integrity Transparency

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The Private Schools and Quality Assurance

(PSQA) Sector was set up in 2010 to

implement ADEC’s Strategic Plan for the

rapid improvement of the private school

system.

The Private Schools & Quality Assurance

Sector is responsible for:

Overseeing and managing the Abu Dhabi

private schools market, where the Sector

focuses on establishing new schools as well

as supports the improvement of existing

private schools. It is also responsible for

increasing access to private schools for

all students by ensuring the availability of

adequate capacity in the market.

Private Schools & Quality Assurance Sector operating model

About Private Schools and Quality Assurance

Policy Planning & Performance Management (PPPM)

AD

EC

’s role

in th

ePriva

te Sch

ools

Sector

Licensing & Accreditation (LA)

Inspection & Monitoring (IM)

Schools Development (SD)

Promotion & BusinessDevelopment (BD)

Quality Assu

ran

ce (IM)

Planning and Policy Development(PPPM)

Promoting & Marketing (BD)

Licensing (LA)

Schools Support (SD)Regular Evaluation (IM)

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C

omp

lia

nce

Asses

sme

nt

(LA

)


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The PSQA Strategic Plan 2013/ 2017 supports ADEC’s mission in the private sector through ensuring that private

school students are equipped with the knowledge, skills, values, and attitudes necessary to embark on further

education, and to be lifelong learners who are prepared to contribute to and compete in the global society,

while preserving national identity, local culture and traditions.

The Strategic Plan 2013/ 2017 lays out a comprehensive roadmap with implementation milestones that will

provide clarity and direction to all stakeholders in private P-12 education. The Strategic Plan focuses on three

core priorities:

Quality & Academic

Outcomes

Improve the quality of

education and academic

outcomes achieved across

private schools by focusing

on student performance,

effective teaching and school

leadership

Non-academic Outcomes &

National Identity

Achieve satisfactory outcomes

in students personal and social

development in addition to

promot National Identity and

nurture the “ideal citizen”

Access & Affordability

Increase access to private

schools by ensuring adequate

capacity in the market and

making affordable quality

options available for students

PSQA Strategic Plan

Quality & Academic Outcomes

Non-academic Outcomes & National Identity

Access & Affordability


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Policy, Planning andPerformance Management


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Policy, Planning and Performance ManagementThe PPPM Division provides a strategic oversight function for the PSQA sector, ensuring that all activities are

joined up and the sector works together cohesively to deliver on the education reform journey outlined in the

new ADEC/ PSQA Strategic Plan (2013-2017). Specifically, the PPPM Division has responsibility for:

Developing and implementing a regulatory framework that promotes quality education for private schools

in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. The framework comprises of two key components:

Regulations for Private Schools in Abu Dhabi:

The Regulations, which came into effect on the 12th February 2013, provide

the legal basis to regulate the administrative operations and educational

provisions of private schools while defining the rights and responsibilities of

all stakeholders.

The Private Schools Policy Guidance (PSPG) Manual:

The PSPG Manual provides clarity and information to successfully implement

the Regulations. The Manual will be continuously reviewed to ensure the

policies remain relevant, to support PSQA’s objective of raising the quality

of Abu Dhabi’s private schools and help students achieve desired learning

outcomes.

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Leading the planning of sector strategic initiatives to ensure alignment with ADEC’s corporate objectives and

Abu Dhabi Government targets.

Developing and maintaining private schools Master Plan in conjunction with the ADEC Knowledge

Management Division to improve access and affordability and achieve a balance between supply and

demand in private schools in Abu Dhabi.

Monitoring and improving PSQA sector’s performance through efficient processes and procedures and key

performance indicators ensuring that all operational and strategic targets are effectively met.

Overseeing the establishment of information and communication technology (ICT) systems to maintain

consistent and coherent sector information. These systems include: the PSQA Information System, the

Student Information System (eSIS) and the private schools Staff Information System.

ADEC & Private SchoolEducation Strategy

ADEC Vision, Mission & Strategy

Education Policy Agenda

Private School Education Strategy

Regulatory Framework


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Promotion and Business Development


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Promotion and

Business DevelopmentThe Promotion & Business Development Division mandate is aligned with ADEC’s strategic plans and initiatives

which support Abu Dhabi’s Vision 2030 in developing a knowledge based economy through attracting qualified

local and international investors/operators to operate schools with high quality standards in the Emirate of Abu

Dhabi.

The Promotion & Business Development Division is considered the focal point for all interested investors who

are planning to invest in private schools in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. Therefore interested investors should

meet with the Promotion & Business Development Division team who will brief them on the requirements of

licensing and establishing a new school, market status based on the supply, demand and licensing procedures.

The main goal for the Division is to satisfy the continues growing demand for private schools through facilitating

the process of establishing high quality schools that will improve the academic outcomes. The Division’s main

responsibilities include:

Promoting Abu Dhabi’s private schools market locally and internationally and attracting qualified

investors, operators and education providers through raising awareness on the Emirate’s business needs

and socioeconomic, regulatory and operating environment and the potential market opportunities in this

sector.

Strengthening the communication channels with local, regional, and international investors, operators

and education providers through participating or attending workshops and investment forums and

conferences.


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Providing the required support to investors and operators through allocating lands and vacant ex-

governmental buildings to build or operate private schools in the Emirate.

Establishing an attractive supportive environment for investors and operators through facilitating with

other governmental entities and help to overcome difficulties that may occur during the construction phase

of the schools.

Supporting existing low quality and low resourcing schools in the Emirate to improve and sustain the

private school market.

The Promotion & Business Development Division is working hand in hand with internal stakeholders within

ADEC and external stakeholders to achieve ADEC’s vision and mission towards increasing access to high quality

education and making affordable quality options available to the community.


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Licensing and Accreditation


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Licensing and Accreditation PSQA’s licensing and Accreditation Division is keen to develop international standards for licensing private KG-

G12 schools. This comes in line with Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030 and the accelerated progress of scientific

& technological development to meet international school standards while ensuring flexibility in taking the

necessary amendments to best serve Abu Dhabi students.

The Licensing and Accreditation Division is responsible for reviewing new school license applications, license

renewals, school fee increase applications and license amendments for all private schools operating in the

Emirate of Abu Dhabi. L&A provides guidance and support to new investors through reviewing their licensing

applications and provides feedback to improve and complete their applications as per ADEC requirements. In

addition, it periodically updates the License Application Submission Guidance in order to assist applicants for

new private schools licenses to meet all the requirements and complete the license application form. The L&A

team is always in contact with investors or their representatives either through meetings or e-mails to ensure

providing technical support that covers the academic aspect in the application and the financial study that the

applicant should submit with the application.

The Division interviews principals and vice principals to ensure that they are qualified enough to assume their

duties diligently. In addition, the Division reviews teachers and social workers qualifications to ensure that they

meet recruitment terms & conditions, before submitting them to the competent authorities for obtaining the

necessary approvals & issuing appointment letters.

The Division is also responsibile to monitor the schools compliance with private schools regulations. A qualified

ADEC team conducts inspection visits to ensure that schools comply with ADEC regulations & policies which

focus on enhancing national identity, promoting Arabic language, teaching the three compulsory subjects

(Islamic Education, Arabic Language and Social Studies), recruiting teaching & administrative staff that meet

ADEC’s requirements and ensure the safety & security of students within the school premises.

The Division seeks to improve the quality of education through moderating learning outcomes with cost,

determining private school fees according to specific standards that commensurate with parents’ financial

capacity while maintaining the quality of education as well as the interest of private education investors.


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In addition, under the licensing and Accreditation Division there is a Customer Service Section (CSS) that deals

with students and staff related issues. The CSS staff supports private schools, receive & respond to customers’

complaints, solve issues and develop services to ensure effective communication between customers & private

schools.

Since the divisions establishment, it has been working on developing their systems to ease the process and was

able to develop the following:

Online licensing procedures to be followed by new private schools

Online licensing renewal/ amendment processes to be followed by private schools.

Online process to recruit school staff

Online system to process school fee

increase

E-SIS to ensure accuracy and efficiency

A mechanism to ensure private schools compliance to international curriculum offered and that the curriculum is linked to country, state or province of origin.

Online private schools and staff database


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Inspection and Monitoring


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Inspection and MonitoringSince September 2008, all private schools have been required by law to register with the Abu Dhabi Education

Council (ADEC) and to be inspected by ADEC. School inspections are required for the following reasons:

Firstly due to its importance for our government to know about the quality of the schools in the Emirate of

Abu Dhabi through assessing the schools strengths and weaknesses. This helps the inspection & monitoring

team to work hand in hand with schools to maintain their strengths and tackle their weaknesses. The aim of

the inspection is to ensure that all private schools offer students a first-class education to make the education a

fundamental pillar that enables the Emirate of Abu Dhabi to meet standards of excellence achieved in the most

highly educated countries in the world. Individual characteristics, cultures and teaching methods in private

schools are respected, as are the different examination systems which they use, but all schools are expected to

provide education at a level of quality which at least meets the high standards outlined in Irtiqa’a Framework.

Secondly, inspection provides proprietors, board members, principals and managers with an external evaluation

which they can then use to improve. It provides insights about a school’s strengths and areas for development

and provides comparison with appropriate national and international standards.

One central feature of ADEC’s Irtiqa’a approach is the role of self-evaluation. Schools are asked to make their own

judgements on how well they are doing. Although inspectors will make their own judgements, they will use

the self-evaluation results as an indicator on how well school leadership and management know their school.

In common with schools in other countries, schools in Abu Dhabi have found self-evaluation challenging but

very useful.

Self evaluation requires honesty and openness to make it useful, in which schools can use it as a quality

management tool, updating their self-evaluation form regularly and linking it with their improvement plan. It

takes time for many schools to self-evaluate successfully but when it is done properly, it has a significant impact.

Inspections are rigorous, make clear judgements and report accurately and fairly but unless there is something


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seriously wrong, they are not punitive. Ultimately inspectors and ADEC itself are there to help and encourage

schools along their improvement journey.

Despite the challenges facing the inspection process, it offers an opportunity for ADEC to identify good

educational experiences in these schools. Therefore, ADEC looks forward to working with all schools to highlight

their good work and help them improve.

POLICY MAKING

AT SECTOR

LEVEL

RECOMMENDATIONS

FOR

IMPROVEMENT

QUALITY OF

SCHOOLS

STRENGTHS &

WEAKNESSES

INSPECTION &

MONITORING

FIRST-CLASS

EDUCATION

Identifies

Provides

Leads

to

Leads to

Informs

Ev

aluate

s

Inspection and Monitoring


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School Development


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School DevelopmentADEC’s vision and mission is supported by various school improvement initiatives to assist schools on their

educational journey towards excellence. The School Development Division assists, guides, supports and acts

as a resource for schools so that schools can continuously improve in a sustainable manner and maintain the

capacity for high educational quality, to meet international standards and take full ownership of their School

Development Plan.

This improvement is achieved through a systematic process of focused professional development and school

improvement initiatives linked to individual school inspection outcomes and School Development Plans.

The role of the Schools Development Division is to oversee the schools development journey so that they can:

Offer support for schools: Support school staff to develop the skills required to address student needs

and develop effective school practices.

Provide opportunities for continuous professional development to support school improvement:

Training needs analysis is undertaken to ensure CPD is developed to meet the changing needs of the

schools to improve leadership and instructional quality to prepare students for the 21st Century.

Invest in the most important development aspects: Focus on low performing schools and schools with

high percentage of Emirati students and provide resources and support to overcome the challenges.

Support School Development planning process: Review and provide feedback for school development

plans to each school.

Continual support for schools: Build sustainable capacity in school staff in meeting the goals of the

school.


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Cycle for School Development

DataAnalysis

Needs Analysis

SDPSubmitted

SDP Review

Inspection &Monitoring

CPD and PM

School Development

Cycle

Inspection

Recomm

endations

in SDP

SDP: School Development Plan

PM: Performance Management

CPD: Continuous Professional Development

The school development process is a continuous process through which the school is supported on its own

unique improvement journey. The division’s initiatives focus on:

Identifying key private school issues and defining development strategies for resolving them

Establishing specific programs and teams to implement defined development strategies

Organizing and overseeing private school focus groups with both internal and external stakeholders

Managing and overseeing execution of key development programs at both ADEC and school level e.g. Villa

School Closure Plan


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Private Schools & Quality Assurance Sector (PSQA)For inquiries and suggestions, please contact us on the below mentioned contacts or visit ADEC’s customer

service centers which operate in the headquarters and/or in each regional office (Al Ain city and Al Gharbia).


P.O. Box 36005, Abu Dhabi United Arab Emirates Tel: +971 2 615 0000 Fax: +971 2 615 0555

www.adec.ac.ae

PSQA SECTOR MAIN CONTACTS

Executive Director

[email protected]

Inspection & Monitoring

[email protected]

Promotion & Business Development

[email protected]

Policy & Planning and

Performance Management

[email protected]

Licensing & Accreditation

[email protected]

School Development

[email protected]

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