Schools in the UAE

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Swim to success

â—? As educational institutes invest in new facilities,

parents and students are looking beyond academics when picking a school Pages 2-3

FOCUS ON AI

How UAE schools have started to use artificial intelligence to bridge learning gaps

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BUSINESS AS USUAL Brexit fails to make a dent in the global appeal for British schools

Wednesday, January 17, 2018 | Gulf News

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SCHOOLS IN THE UAE

BEYOND THE CLASSROOMS AND WHITEBOARDS

●● It makes sense to consider facilities and resources when choosing a school

By Noni Edward s Special to GN Focus

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hen choosing a school in the UAE, are parents attracted to big-ticket items such as technology labs and sporting facilities? Or do they prefer basics such as fresh paint and non-slip flooring? The reality lies somewhere in between.

Speaking generally on local standards compared to other countries, Shar Dean says Dubai schools do well on the surface but “the devil is in the details — staffing, maintenance, built quality and safety”.

Dean is Education Coordinator for The Sustainable City with Diamond Developers and has 30 years of teaching experience in the UAE and elsewhere. She has studied the design of

educational environments at master’s level.

Dean believes teachers make the greatest impact on a child’s learning but that great facilities and resources can certainly help a great teacher be even better. “Many world-renowned educationalists attribute a great deal of importance to the environment,” she says, quoting Italian educator Loris Malaguzzi, founder of the Reggio Emillia philosophy, who called the classroom the “third teacher”.

“Colourful and bright classrooms often attract parents but are actually considered not the best environment for learning,” says Dean. “There should be a balance: an area for focus as well as stimulus. Particularly in the UAE, there should be opportunities for students

Therese Sequiera Parent Educator

Nahla Osman Former Chairperson, Jebel Ali School PTA

to interact with the natural world. Larger homes with smaller backyards and the harsh climate leave children few opportunities to experience nature.”

TOP TIPS TO HELP KIDS CRACK THE SCHOOL ENTRANCE TEST ●● The journey is every bit as important as the destination

By Dr Sal iha A f ri di Special to GN Focus

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aking an entrance exam is one of the big life stressors for children and their families. Keeping some of these things in mind may help the family get through this demanding time with a lot more grace and perspective.

Set goals

In school children may learn a lot about history, language, arts and science but what they don’t learn are life skills such as how to set

achievable goals, how to handle stress and how to deal with emotional and mental obstacles. Teach children how to make SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and timely) goals, as well as planning for roadblocks such as laziness, distraction and procrastination they will face on their way. These lessons will not only help them get into their school of choice but also get ahead in life.

Be supportive

As a parent you have many years of life and experience under your belt.

You know that this may not be a difficult task or a big deal, but the child who does not have such life

experiences believes that failing or passing this test is the be-all and end-all to their existence. Their selfworth and self-identity is very much tied to their school success and your subsequent approval. So use this time to sit with your child, hear their anxieties, ask what they are worried about and then try to problem-solve it with them.

Developing emotional intelligence

Emotional intelligence is essentially about managing emotions, our own and those within interactions. Much of test taking is being able to manage difficult emotions, tackling negative thoughts, and being able to stay

Room size and layout are problems noted by parent educator Therese Sequiera, who wants teachers to be consulted more on classroom design. “Many classrooms don’t have adequate storage or overall space to allow for rearranging furniture to suit activities,” she says. “The best classrooms I’ve [seen] had two adjacent classrooms with a shared art/science/messy space and a multipurpose storage area behind, accessible from each room.”

Schools must have decent auditorium or theatre space for performances, says Sequiera, who has more than 25 years’ teaching experience. “Some schools have grown so much they don’t have space to gather together.”

She adds that staffrooms must be pleasant environments, and that schools

focused while being under pressure. Teach them how to take the test, not just learn what’s on it.

Know thyself

Parents need to be aware of their unconscious agendas that are playing out with their children and learn how to manage them. Parents falsely believe that they go unnoticed or unfelt by children, but children are extremely sensitive to the needs, wants and anxieties of parents. Narcissistic thoughts such as ‘my child has to get into the best school/college and that will show the world what an amazing parent I am’ or fear-based agendas such as ‘my child has to get into the best school to ensure their life success and happiness’ are playing out in the background for parents and their children and put extreme pressure on everyone involved. By becoming aware of these,

need plenty of small rooms for therapy, music, meetings and group work.

In 2016, the 40-year-old Jebel Ali Public School added a secondary school to its programme and swapped its quaint but antiquated digs in Jebel Ali Village for a 34,000-sq-ft site in Damac’s Akoya develop-

parents can choose a different way of being that is value-based.

Keep perspective

The focus should be on the journey towards the entrance exam, and not just the outcome of the exam. Because in the final analysis, it is those character strengths and virtues that are going to be the traits that will determine his/her longterm success. We all know of someone who grew up privileged, went to the right schools, and got into the right college but did not have the life skills to withstand obstacles or push through the mental chatter when the going got tough. Use life events such as entrance exams to really develop the child’s character and not just their CV. — Dr Saliha Afridi is a clinical psychologist and managing director of the mental health and wellness clinic The Lighthouse

Gulf News | Wednesday, January 17, 2018

SCHOOLS IN THE UAE

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ment. As one of Dubai’s oldest schools, it was in the unique position of applying practical experience when designing brand-new, pur-

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pose-built facilities. Among them were a 25-metre swimming pool, a multipurpose sports hall, music rooms, dedicated food technology labs, a 642-seat auditorium, an award-winning grey water recycling system, thermal insulation throughout and outdoor classrooms.

Nahla Osman, a teacher and parent who was chairperson of Jebel Ali School’s PTA during the move, says facilities aren’t everything.

“Before the move, the school delivered an excellent British curriculum through modest facilities.

It was led by an excellent teaching reputation, not by its cafeterias and number of new iPad trolleys.

“However during the transition and growth into the new site, the school has been able to significantly upgrade its facilities and provide students with a whole lot more, and importantly, maintain its not-forprofit status and its fabulous community spirit.”

For Osman, the basics of infrastructure are a safe, clean and inspiring environment, with teaching staff the ultimate factor in a quality education.

Many parents agree, despite being attracted to shiny new buildings and cutting-edge technology, they look beyond. Niveditha Santosh, whose daughter goes to GEMS Metropole, says all schools must consider parking as a

priority. “Just like there are specific checklists regarding fire, health and safety, the KHDA should add parking to checklists. They should also enforce [a] law regarding speed and [the use of] seatbelts around the school drop-off areas.”

Suzanne Lee Pollock, a parent at Safa Community School and a former teaching assistant elsewhere, says handwashing facilities are lacking in many places. “Foundation to Year 2 should have a wash trough for messy hands and cleaning up after arty activities. Lower years should also have easy access to outdoor areas and bathrooms.”

The lack of shaded outdoor green space for children to play safely is high on the list too. Lev Medgard has been a parent at several schools in Dubai.

She says the lack of shade trees means children miss out on being able to climb them. “I understand schools don’t want more liability but I climbed trees, so did my husband and our children have no idea what it’s like to climb a tree.” n

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Wednesday, January 17, 2018 | Gulf News

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SCHOOLS IN THE UAE

Schools of AI

● Educational institutions in the UAE and elsewhere are using artificial intelligence

to help teachers spot learning gaps and turn pedagogical models upside down B R   N  Staff Writer

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he classroom has always been an important environment, but often an unstimulating one. Children have limited attention spans and it’s not always easy to maintain their interest in what can be dry subject matter (remember trigonometry?). The issue is problems are usually revealed only when a student turns in a poor project or fails an exam.

But what if it was possible to gauge faltering interest in a particular topic at an earlier stage — such as when the concept was first being explained by a teacher?

Artificial intelligence recommends what we should eat for lunch and showing us the news it thinks we’ll like. Soon it could tell us how to teach our children.

“Consolidating the purpose of education, AI is promoting adaptive learning environments and paving way for extensive knowl-

edge exploration for students,” says Dr Sana Farid, Co-founder and CEO of Munfarid, a consultancy that helps education providers and organisations integrate AR, VR and AI into their environments.

Growth mindset

“AI educational tools are flexible, comprehensive, customised, engaging and impactful,” she says.

“They develop a growth mindset allowing finegrained understanding.”

AI offers innumerable solutions, Dr Farid adds. In an automation-driven future, AI supports initiatives for skill upgrades from primary school upwards, evolving the education technology landscape.

“The emergence of AI in classrooms can streamline substantial untapped potential by allowing productive failure,” she tells GN Focus.

“Through t h i s meth-

od, students can explore a concept before they lead themselves to the right answer. AI has been used in multiple segments and occasions in the UAE, an early adopter of this future-forward technology.”

Educational institutions here are already integrating the technology. Alef, a home-grown platform backed by the Abu Dhabi Financial Group, uses directed questions and in-house-created content to shape students’ learning according to their preferred style.

As for teachers, they will take on a more facilitative role. Following an explainer hook video, students answer questions, the answers of which are used by the system to calculate their understanding of a concept. Alef then recommends reading material prior to more questions and group tasks.

Tangible gains

Alef Education says that among a pilot group of 240 Grade 6 Abu Dhabi students who used the system for 12 months, maths scores increased by an average 78 per cent, while English results improved by 27 per cent.

In Dubai, GEMS Education has partnered with Kinteract, a portfolio and

In classrooms, AI can streamline substantial untapped potential by allowing productive failure. Through this method, students can explore a concept before they lead themselves to the right answer.”

Dr Sana Farid Co-founder and CEO, Munfarid

real-time assessment platform that aims to deliver fast feedback and encourages collaboration between parents, teachers and students. Part social network, part interactive learning journal, Kinteract’s “real-time visualisations and reports help teachers predict progress and address potential issues early”, the British company says on its website.

Third Space Learning, another UK-based company, has been provi d i n g students maths tuition and

recording their interactions with teachers since 2012.

The AI-driven system now has enough data to understand when a student has missed the boat on a particular learning concept. “If we can aim to shape the performance of the teacher — the teacher being the significant input into a child’s learning — then you’re creating something truly powerful,” Tom Hooper, Founder of Third Space Learning, told The Next Web. Stanford University’s Artificial Intelligence and Life in 2030 report offers a summary of AI’s educational potential: “It can be argued AI is the secret sauce that has enabled instructors, particularly in higher education, to multiply the size of their classrooms by a few orders of magnitude — class sizes of a few tens of thousands are not uncommon.”

The future’s here — and the future’s intelligent.  Shutterstock

Wednesday, January 17, 2018 | Gulf News

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SCHOOLS IN THE UAE

SET THEM UP FOR

STEM SUCCESS

●● Dubai-based expert educators tell GN Focus how to sow the seeds of an enquiring mind

By Krita C oel ho Staff Writer

Tap young minds “Talking to them about flowers, plants, insects, the weather and food from such a young age can help develop [a sense of] scientific enquiry,” says Jane Whitby, Founding Principal, Newlands School.

Creative learning can begin as soon as a child can interact and play. “Let them create and explore with household and recycling materials, facilitating their natural curiosity.

There is no best toy — how often do we see children playing with wrapping paper and boxes rather than the toys inside?” asks Samuel Holliday, Assistant Head Teacher at Kings School Nad Al Sheba. Even materials that could be seen as the preserve of the arts — paper, glue, paint and straw — could kickstart a child’s journey into STEM activities, he adds.

Ask and answer Children are naturally inquisitive;

Shutterstock

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xperts in education, industry, and government agree that science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) subjects are vital to our continued economic well-being. Yet, fewer children are choosing these subjects. In the US, the number of STEM-related jobs will grow to over nine million by 2022, but only 16 per cent of high-school seniors are proficient in maths and interested in a STEM career, according to the country’s Bureau of Labour Statistics.

Here’s how parents can motivate children to take interest and be proficient in these well-paying fields.

encouraging this curiosity can help parents find what interests them. “Ask children why they think something happens: to make sense of the world around them,” says Holliday. “Exploration, risk-taking and learning from challenges and failure will be far more beneficial to them in later life than a short memorised response.”

Making children part of the cooking process will help them understand changes in ingredients, timing, capacity and weight. “Not only does it encourage them to eat healthy, it also develops their science, technology and mathematical education,” Whitby says.

Look for shapes Encourage children to think about how objects are shaped by going on a hunt through the grocery store to look for rectangles, circles and squares, before moving on to three-dimensional solids such as cones or pyramids.

“Looking for shapes, angles, time and numbers when going [out] is very important, although it should not be done in a teacher’s style,” explains Whitby. While identification is one aspect, Holliday says the accompanying discussion will help children join the dots between all of their experiences, building the capacity to ask their own questions, think critically and draw their own conclusions.

Money matters Teach kids about money and they’ll learn practical maths. Compared with usual arithmetic, this real-life application will engage and stimulate.

Shopping is an ideal way to introduce money skills and can build an understanding of money and its role in society.

“When my child was nine, I gave him money to buy a product from three different shops, with the condition that whichever shop he chooses to buy

from, he could keep the change from the money,” says Whitby. “He compared the prices of the items from the three shops and bought the one that allowed him to keep the maximum change. Since that day, my son has always been a great saver, has excellent understanding and interest in money and is now very entrepreneurial and inventive.”

Jane Whitby Founding Principal, Newlands School

Playful projects Playtime is a great way to get kids into STEM. There are tonnes of educational toys on the market that promote creative and critical thinking, including building sets, brainteasers and art projects.

“Find some thing that brings a spark to a child’s learning,” Holliday says.

“Science kits, drones and robots controlled by algorithms will help in their first steps in coding and debugging, but any toy that has mechanical parts or bricks to build gives children vital skills that

Samuel Holliday Assistant Head Teacher, Kings School Nad Al Sheba

will help them with mathematical skills.”

Whitby agrees: “Technology and engineering skills can be developed by giving children toys and activities that require building, making and allowing things to be redone again and again and where the solutions are not fully provided to them.”

— With input from Creators.com

Wednesday, January 17, 2018 | Gulf News

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SCHOOLS IN THE UAE

CULTURAL VALUES TAKE ROOT

●● UAE schools initiate moves to encourage Arabic

learning and promote ethics among the youth

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By Hi na Nav i n Special to GN Focus

he UAE has recently taken several initiatives to promote green values, Arabic learning and moral education in society. Accordingly, schools across the country are encouraged to enhance their teaching process and include these new subjects in their curriculum. We look at how some schools are aligning themselves with the nation’s vision.

Morals The UAE aims to instil ethics and moral values among its youth, so topics such as tolerance, community spirit and compassion are being taught at schools.

Dubai-based sales manager Olwin Lobo, an Indian expatriate, recalls the subject of diversity, being taught to his kids at school. The father of two children aged 10 and 7, studying at Al Diyafah High School says, “Being married to a Filipino, this is not entirely new for my kids as they are of mixed heritage. I also remember them participating in World Food Day, where they learned that many people in the world starve, so they should not waste food. These topics help them in being respectful individuals.”

Students at Taaleem schools have been participating in service learning from a young age. Richard Drew, Principal, Jumeirah Baccalaureate School, says its students take part in a range of activities. In the last year, two students Olwin Lobo reached out to the school Sales community to gather Manager 1,000 kg of rice for Syrian refugees and raised four times more than their target. “It is essential for us as adults and caregivers to embed skills into our children so that they are caring, open-minded and respectful individuals who value what they have and Richard Drew understand that through Principal, Jumeirah their actions.”

Baccalaureate School

Arabic With the UAE aiming to make Arabic a global language for culture, schools are increasingly improving their language training skills at various levels. At The Alpha School, Arabic language instruction begins from Foundation Stage 1. Its Principal, Rachel Cashin says, “Arabic teachers with early years specialism are specifically recruited in our school to build firm foundations in the spoken language during the early years. Our English and Arabic staff work very closely together to maintain strong links in learning during the Foundation Stage. The Rachel Cashin manner in which letters Principal, and sounds are introThe Alpha School duced in the early years are also carefully planned with international best practice at its core.”

Pakistani national and real estate professional Ali Jafry says teaching the Arabic language, culture and values at an early age is good practice. “It allows my children to learn other languages proficiently. During an arguement with another child from our neighbourhood, I witnessed my older child telling the other kid that Arabic culture taught tolerance and humility rather than bullying younger ch i ld ren, ” says Jafry, father of three children aged six, four and a year and a half, studying at Arab Unity School.

Pictures: Gulf News Archives and AP

Environment As the nation aims to build environmental responsibility among society, schools are developing a curriculum framework that brings green consciousness to the students.

Ian Campbell, Assistant Principal, Cambridge High School, Abu Dhabi weighs in: “While we will not be teaching this as a discrete subject it will be evident throughout the curriculum, particularly in the junior school. Themes such as waste management and global climate change will be investigated by the students using critical thinking skills and communicating this Ian Campbell throughout their lesAssistant Principal, sons. For UAE schools Cambridge High School and The Cambridge High School, there is an attempt to impact local and global issues that are documented in the UAE’s Green agenda and Paris Agreement,” he says.

Amit Vardhan, an advertising professionAmit Vardhan al originally from InAdvertising dia, and father to two professional boys aged 11 and 16 years, who study at DPS Sharjah, feels proud that his kids are now far more conscious about their environment.

“They have discussions on topics such as global warming and alternative energy, things we never thought about as children,” he says. “My son, who is in class 6 is doing projects and models of the smart city, working on alternative energies to save the environment.”

With an early focus on such important issues, we could well be nurturing a responsible generation.

Wednesday, January 17, 2018 | Gulf News

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SCHOOLS IN THE UAE

Give kids the gift of reading

●● Can’t get your

child to read? Here are ways to instil a love for words

By Kris t en C as t il lo

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n an age of text messages, study guides, news briefs and storyline recaps, children are used to instant gratification and short communications.

The idea of reading books might seem boring or overwhelming for them, so how can you get children to love reading?

Childrens’ choice

“A book that is chosen by a child is more likely to be read than one that is assigned,” says children’s book author Stacy McAnulty, who’s a self-described former reluctant reader.

A mother of three, McAnulty knows that “a child’s tastes will change and grow, but he or she must love reading first”.

That means children should be free to read books they like, even if Mum or Dad wouldn’t have chosen the same titles. That also means comic books and picture books are OK.

Beyond books

Teach children that reading is an essential part of everyday life and that literacy isn’t limited to books.“The key is to get kids access to text,” says Kathryn Starke, a national urban literacy specialist and author of Tackle Reading, noting kids can read magazines, newspapers and age-appropriate content online.

Reading routine

Reading specialist and tutor Katya Seberson of ExecutiveMind Inc. says parents should read with children during breakfast and bath time.

“The idea is to start children seeing a movie in their mind as they read a book,” she says, encouraging parents and kids to fill in the gaps of a character description. “Try saying: ‘I see this character as someone who would have a big nose and thick eyebrows!’ By bringing characters alive, you help

children activate imagination.”

their

On the level

Make sure the child is reading at their level. Kids should be challenged to read but not disheartened.

“If kids have to wonder what words mean, they will feel frustrated with reading, resist and eventually develop a hatred for reading,” says Seberson, explaining the ideal ratio of unfamiliar words is one word per paragraph. “If kids have to ask you for what words mean in each sentence, you have chosen a wrong book.”

Take your time

“Don’t try to rush your child through different concepts,” says Dr Tiffany McKinnon-Russell, who home-schools her five-year-old daughter.

“Rushing them can result in frustration and the development of an aversion to reading.”

McKinnon-Russell also advises reading when you and your child aren’t tired. “When you need rest, you have trouble focusing and can tend to have less patience.”

Get competitive

Pictures: Gulf News Archives

●● The UAE’s Year of Reading initiative in 2016 helped promote the habit in children

Kids love a competition, so why not make reading a race? “Three or four friends check out the same chapter book from the library, and then it’s a race to see who can finish first,” says McAnulty, whose son does this with his friends.

“They’ll read at home, on the bus, at lunch so they can be the first done.”

Just make sure the kids

comprehend what they’re reading.

Listen up!

Kids may be motivated to read if they join a book club, especially if that book club is a podcast for literary discussion. The Book Club for Kids podcast is a free 20-minute podcast designed to turn reluctant readers into lifelong book lovers. The podcast, which won a Literacy in Media award, features such segments as three young readers discussing a middle-grade novel, an interview with the author and a celebrity reader.

The Book Club has a newsletter and blog for parents, both of which offer reading tips for kids.

Bring the book to life

Kids will be inspired to read more if their books and characters come to life. “If it’s a book about dinosaurs, go to a dinosaur exhibit,” says Starke.

“Write a letter to the author of the book and mail it. Go to the zoo if you’re reading about zoo animals.”

Co-read with your kids

“Kids need to see that reading is a pleasure,” says McAnulty, who encourages parents to coread with kids. “Curl up in bed or on the couch together and each read your own book.”

She also advocates for bedtime stories for little and big kids. “It’s a time to bond and encourages of love of books.”

— Creators.com

Wednesday, January 17, 2018 | Gulf News

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BREXIT UNLIKELY TO IMPACT UK SCHOOLS ●● Long an export article, the appeal of a British education in the UAE is

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expected to remain undimmed, says Andrea Marechal Watson

he names of great British schools are rooted deep in the cultural memory of millions across the globe. In a brand-conscious world, the British school is king.

So in the immediate aftermath of the Brexit vote, the education sector — whose members overwhelmingly voted Remain — trembled.

Independent schools in the UK feared a drop in numbers even though the devaluation in sterling provided hope by lowering school fees for foreign students.

Brighton College Dubai’s Headmaster, Marco Longmore was interested in the generational differences in Brexit voting patterns.

It reinforces his belief in the importance of a broad and balanced education: “Education helps people to understand why demographic behaviours such as this exist and also appreciate different view points on major issues,” he says.

The question arises as to what impact Brexit could have on UK schools abroad and indeed whether the highly esteemed British education system might consequently be devalued. There are thousands of English-language schools across the globe and the UAE heads the list with more than 500 international schools teaching

Pictures: Gulf News Archives and Shutterstock

●● Dubai alone has 65 UK-curriculum schools, ten of which are rated outstanding by KHDA

some 455,000 students.

British schools are well represented: Dubai alone has 65 UK-curriculum schools, ten of which are rated outstanding, nine as very good and ten as good by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority. It seems highly unlikely that Brexit will dent this track record.

“British education is a timeless export recognised all over the world,” says Michael Lambert, headmaster of Dubai College, one of the oldest independent schools in the UAE. “It was a tradable currency long before Britain joined the EU in the 1970s and will

remain so long after Brexit.

There are very few, if any other curricula, which are seen as an educational gold standard the world over and are consequently globally transferable.

“The central tenets of the Western style of teaching and learning — critical thinking, collaboration and creativity — are the 21st century skills which the World Economic Forum predicts will be most in demand by 2020,” he adds.

Branded education

Just two decades ago wealthy Asian families — whether Emirati, Chinese or Indian — could only

achieve a British education for their children by sending them to a boarding school in England. All that changed with the franchising of famed UK schools.

Notable among them are Harrow International Hong Kong and Wellington Bilingual Shanghai. Opening this year is Brighton College Dubai, whose mother campus in East Sussex may soon count Prince George of Cambridge among its students.

It joins a list that includes Repton Dubai, Malvern College and Cranleigh Abu Dhabi.

Britain’s huge success in selling its brand iden-

Gulf News | Wednesday, January 17, 2018

SCHOOLS IN THE UAE tity around the world is a remarkable story. Much of this new educational empire has been built since the turn of the millennium, including franchised British schools. Now with the growing uncertainty thanks to Brexit, can the British school brand still rule the waves?

Curricula such as the International Baccalaureate and the International Primary Curriculum continue to gain strength. Could parents perhaps feel that a European, American or even Chinese school system may serve their offspring better in the future?

Will they in short abandon the new crop of British franchised schools?

Sustained demand

John Hutchinson, chief officer of Gabbitas Education who has been looking at the Brexit issue indepth, believes not. “We are confident that brand Britain is secure in the global education sector and will remain in high demand for decades to come,” he says.

Marco Longmore Headmaster, Brighton College Dubai

Getty

●● It is rumoured that Prince

George will attend Brighton College in the UK

On one point almost all voices are agreed. English is the international language of commerce and this will not change despite the now famous statement made (in English) by Jean-Claude Juncker, European Commission President, at the Florence conference of 2017 that “English was losing importance”.

This core asset of a British education can-

not easily be undone. Architect, Andrew Lemon of property development company Xtreme Vision, who has lived in the UAE since 1998, put both his children through the school system in Dubai and is a passionate advocate of the international school system.

He feels Brexit is a side issue at best. “Personally I don’t think Brexit will impact education here much, if at all. I’m afraid to say I am in the MP Jacob Rees-Mogg’s camp. My view is that it will be like the Y2K millennium bug when the world was going to end and then nothing happened.”

The independent schools sector is grappling with the same economic

challenges faced by global businesses. And education is a multibillion industry today — in Britain alone independent schools are calculated to contribute £11.7 billion (Dh58.24 billion) to gross value added (GVA). This pot of gold is naturally attractive to start-ups everywhere in the world. In theory anyone can start a British school, so parents will want the reassurance of the known brand.

There are those who ask whether branded schools are a good development.

Harrow-educated Charles Pocock, Director of the Meem Gallery, Dubai, is not convinced schools such as Harrow International Hong Kong are on the same level as his alma mater. He does not mean the 300-acre leafy estate in North London or the ancient charter granted by Elizabeth I that it boasts, but the quality of schooling. “They are more about teaching kids to pass exams than giving them an education,” he says.

This is arguably a good thing given the impor-

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tance attached to recognisable qualifications by universities and global business.

Lambert believes students who studied the English national curriculum tend to significantly outperform other curricula in new tests such as PISA, TIMSS and PIRLS. “As governments increasingly cotton on to this fact, you are going to see the continued rise of British education the world over,” he says.

With Dubai’s population expected to reach 5 million by 2030, the emirate will soon require more than 100 new schools.

Some may feel that Brexit should drive them to consider a curriculum that is less UK-focused but at present, according to Gabbitas Education, over 30 per cent of all the independent new builds still opt for the English curriculum.

“The British independent school brand is more than safe; it excels,” says Gabbitas Director, Tim Wilbur. n

Wednesday, January 17, 2018 | Gulf News

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SCHOOLS IN THE UAE

Alan Devereux Managing Director of social media firm Cave Chalk

● Child abuse — in the real and virtual world — is a reality. But how can

parents and schools stay ahead of hunters and keep children safe?

“I

shouldn’t be called that,” reads the sign in a restroom at City Walk. A number underneath advertises an abuse helpline. Posters across the shopping destination and elsewhere in the UAE are among a raft of initiatives across the nation aiming to empower young people and raise awareness of the issue.

The UAE government has introduced a zero tol-

erance policy with strict laws to manage the issue, and the Ministry of Interior has created a department called the Child Protection Centre (MoI-CPC) to fulfil a commitment to protect every child in the UAE. At the end of last year, the Dubai Foundation for Women and Children (DFWAC), a shelter for victims, announced that physical abuse of children is the most common complaint it has received from schools

since the Child Protection Law was implemented.

Schools are now asking for more awareness campaigns and workshops, both to identify abuse and help children come forward, DFWAC says.

Children easily fall prey to physical, sexual and even cyber abuse. In most cases the offender is someone they know or seek to know either due to a need for attention or affection.

With the need to connect

5 WAYS TO KEEP ’EM SAFE

Elizabeth Beggs, Educational Consultant and Psychologist at kidsFIRST Medical Centre, Dubai shares five tips for child protection.

1. Be aware. Children are more often abused by those they know.

Read to inform and arm yourself.

Keep communication open.

2. Know where your child is. Limit/monitor your child’s contact with adults — known

and unknown. Be prudent about sleepovers. Be wary of coaches or caretakers who make your child feel special or ask for special one-to-one time. Be on time to collect your child from activities. Have a family safeword that can alert you to your child’s discomfort. Teach them to stop and not move if they get lost.

You will find them, they do not need to find you.

3. Learn the signs. Emotional indicators are much more likely.

Not wanting to be with a specific person for no reason, changes in appetite or sleep patterns, school refusal, withdrawal are all signs of emotional trauma.

4. Talk to your child. Let them know that you trust them and believe them. Help them distinguish between good and bad secrets. When a child knows that you will believe them when they bring a secret to you, they are more likely to do so. Discuss the difference between good and bad touching — bad touching is not allowed by anyone, at all, ever.

5. React responsibly. Do not overreact with anger or fear.

Reassure your child that you are there for them and believe them.

Praise their courage and help them talk through what has happened.

Formulate a plan.

— R. K.

and feel loved, children share a lot of personal information on social media. They may even make friends with strangers at a first meeting, which can lead to potential trouble.

For parents, the first step is awareness and understanding. “At the base of our needs as human beings is the need for connection, to always feel loved,” says Jean-Pierre De Villiers, peak performance and personal coach. “When a child feels alone they crave love and connection and if they find connection from a single person or group of people in their life they become addicted to that person or those people, wanting more and more from them.

“The opposite of addiction is connection. If a child doesn’t feel connected with the parents or in his or her home life, they will be open to receiving it from someone else even if that person is not a good person. Make your child feel special, important and loved.”

It is now easy enough to stalk someone and reach them via social media posts or by trailing their daily run of activities. Cyber maturity and safety are also important.

Gulf News Archives

NO MORE TEARS

Jean-Pierre De Villiers Peak performance and personal coach

Experts advise educating children about the potential dangers of speaking to strangers from a young age. In the virtual world, allow them on to social media platforms when they are of a responsible age and guide them about privacy settings and monitor their online activity until you are confident. “Giving a child a tablet may keep them quiet for an hour but what are you actually giving them when they log on? [It could be] access to graphic, age-inappropriate content,” says Alan Devereux, father of three boys and Managing Director of social media firm Cave Chalk. “In addition, your child may be exposed to in-game chat rooms and social networks. While it’s unlikely your child will meet a predator online, it is possible.”The potential impact of unsafe browsing and the ripple effect of child abuse are immense.

A child who is victimised does not bear the brunt of the incidence just once.

It affects the child for life and leaves a scar on their personality and trust.

As parents and caretakers it is important for us to make smarter decisions with our time and attention. Keep communication channels within the family so strong that the child is safe from outside influences and possible dangers.

— GN Focus Report with input from Ruqya Khan

Gulf News | Wednesday, January 17, 2018

SCHOOLS IN THE UAE

17

Innovative tech for the curious mind ● Daanesh Kalyaniwalla picks out the coolest gadgets

for the smartest kids on the block today

ALCATEL MOVETIME SMARTWATCH FOR KIDS Dh142, Available on Souq.com

AMAZON FIRE HD 8 TABLET (KIDS EDITION) Dh681, Available on Souq.com

SAMSUNG GEAR VR 3 WITH CONTROLLER Dh219, Available on Noon.com

LITTLEBITS STAR WARS DROID INVENTOR KIT Dh489, Available on Virginmegastore.ae

LILGADGETS CONNECT+ WIRED HEADPHONES WITH SHAREPORT Dh119, Available on Desertcart.ae

OSMO CODING SET FOR IPAD Dh209, Available on Virginmegastore.ae

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SCHOOLS IN THE UAE

x o b in a

● Solve the morning lunch box

dilemma with our pointers for a healthy meal

M

any school lunch boxes tend to be packed with foods that are too high in sugar, fat, refined carbohydrates and salt. Here

are a few tips on how to make sure that you are giving your kids a tasty lunch that will not only enable them to concentrate better at school but also keep them healthy. A lunch box should contain one portion of each of the following types of foods: starch, protein, dairy, and fruit and vegetables.

Starch

✱ Many children prefer white bread, but encourage your kids to develop a taste for brown or wholewheat bread. These breads are much healthier and will keep them fuller for longer. Alternatively, use the low-GI or highfibre white breads that are now available. ✱ Try to cut down on fat by using low-fat mayonnaise. And if you do use mayonnaise, leave off the butter. ✱ Try to make lunch more exciting by using a variety of different breads — try rye bread or seed and nut bread. Pita breads, different kinds of rolls, bagels or wraps are other options. ✱ Other starch ideas that you could include instead of sandwiches are muffins, rusks, wraps, rice cakes or wholewheat crackers, couscous, rice, pasta or potato salad, cooked sweetcorn or pumpkin fritters, and homemade popcorn. ✱ Use cookie cutters to cut sandwiches into shapes, for example flower shapes, to make them more appealing.

– Text, recipes and pictures: Cam

eraPress

Protein

✱ Use lean sliced meat as a filling for sandwiches, wraps or pita breads. Home-cooked meat that is thinly sliced is much healthier than processed meat, so save a few slices of your roast beef, lamb or chicken. ✱ Chicken, tuna, salmon, pilchards or sardines, and hard-boiled eggs all make good fillings, especially if you include some salad too. ✱ Chicken drumsticks, mini sausages, meatballs, fishcakes, chicken kebabs and unsalted nuts such as almonds are all good ideas.

Dairy

✱ Include yoghurts or drinking yoghurts. Look out for those with extra health benefits such as added fibre, or those enriched with rooibos ✱ Use cheese, cream cheese and cottage cheese (also good sources of protein). ✱ Milk is good, but rather avoid flavoured milk. ✱ Make a dip from low-fat cottage cheese. Add avocado or a bit of chutney and chopped tomatoes or sweet peppers. Put it in a small container and add some vegetable sticks that the children can use to dip.

Fruit and vegetables

✱ Kids usually prefer cut-up fruit and vegetables ✱ Pack cubes of sweet melon, watermelon, kiwi fruit, pineapple and orange segments into small containers. ✱ Small apples or bananas are perfect for kids. ✱ Naartjies, grapes, strawberries, carrots, celery, baby corn, snow peas, cucumber sticks and cherry tomatoes are other good ideas. ✱ Add grated carrots, grated courgettes, dried fruit, nuts and seeds to homemade muffins. ✱ Dried fruit is an option.

SCHOOLS IN THE UAE

FRUIT AND SEED CRUNCHIE BARS Makes: 24 Preparation time: 20 minutes Baking time: 15 minutes Oven temperature: 180°C Ingredients 110ml honey 215ml butter 11/2 tsp bicarbonate of soda ■ 750ml rolled oats ■ 190ml cake flour ■ 190ml raw wheat germ ■ 125ml brown sugar ■ 50ml ground flax seeds ■ 190ml chopped dried fruit(or raisins) ■ 190ml mixed seeds (sunflower, pumpkin and sesame) ■ ■ ■

Method 1. Heat the honey and butter until melted. Remove from the heat and whisk in the bicarbonate of soda.

2. Add the oats, flour, wheat germ, sugar and flax seeds.

Stir well. Add the fruit and seeds.

3. Press into a lined 22x30cm baking tray or tin. Bake in a preheated oven for 12-15 minutes. Remove and cut into bars, but leave them in the tin until cold. Store the crunchie bars in an airtight container.

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SCHOLARS INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY

Preparing children for an undefined future

S

cholars International Academy is part of the SIG group, and one of only two schools in Sharjah accepted as a member of the prestigious British Schools Overseas (BSO) and British Schools of the Middle East (BSME).

A common axiom often repeated within education circles is that most of the jobs of tomorrow have not even been defined. How then does a school approach the task of educating a child if these future goal posts are constantly changing? At Scholars International Academy (SIA), as in many progressive schools, the mission is not to train a child with specific skill sets but to equip a child to have the innate abilities to be successful regardless of what skill sets are required. This manifests itself in many ways and is reflective of the holistic approach taken at SIA. By creating a student- centred learning environment, children are encouraged to take greater authorship of their own learn-

ing. Focus areas, from life skills to public speaking are introduced as part of the curriculum. Cross-curricular linkage is the norm to create relevancy to what is being learnt.

Higher order and critical thinking are encouraged and promoted so children are able to rationalise and work with unfamiliar material. Children are encouraged to build self-confidence to know how and when to take acceptable risks. Global connectivity itself is promoted, not only through what is being taught but also by the presence of over 58 different nationalities on campus. No one knows what the future holds, however, it does appear bright.

19

Wednesday, January 17, 2018 | Gulf News

20

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NEWLANDS SCHOOL

PACE EDUCATION GROUP

Affordable UK-curriculum school in Dubai from Pakistan’s largest educational group

Building responsibility and independence

T

he world’s largest school group by student population has launched its first educational institution in the UAE. With more than 40 years of experience in all aspects of education, the Beaconhouse Group has about 274,000 full-time students in eight countries and a long-established reputation for excellence in Pakistan. The group recently launched its first school in the UAE, Newlands School in Dubai.

Newlands School provides personalised education at an affordable price. The school follows the UK National Curriculum, so students get internationally recognised qualifications (IGCSEs, A-levels, etc.) that will provide them with a dependable route to universities worldwide.

The group is well established

in South Asia with schools in Pakistan, Thailand, Malaysia and the Philippines. The group has expanded its operations to the UAE with the launch of Newlands School, which has seen a huge response from parents in the Al Warqa’a area of Dubai.

The school promises to be an appealing option for students around Al Warqa’a.

“We feel privileged to be able to offer a world-class UK curriculum education at affordable fees to discerning families in Dubai,” says Nasreen Kasuri, Founder and Chairperson, Newlands School. “Newlands School represents our 42 years of delivering the UK National Curriculum and, in particular IGCSE, O and A Level results across South Asia, South East Asia and Oman.”

P

ace Education Group was founded in the year 1999 under the auspices of educationist and industrialist Dr P. A. Ibrahim Haji.

Established in the year 2016, Pace International School has risen as a notable contender among CBSE Schools in the Gulf. The school curriculum is modified to meet the challenges in today’s educational scenario. Teachers are equipped with 21st century skills, special attention being given to SEN students. Its infrastructure includes ‘smart-interactive’ classrooms, a Fifa-sized soccer field, synthetic running tracks and four standard sized swimming pools. Separate courts are available for basketball, volleyball, badminton and indoor games.

Its deep-rooted values and social commitment facilitate in adopting an equal opportunity approach towards the students. The school believes that through careful guidance students can unleash their true potential and contribute to the betterment of a global society.

Its values are also strongly reflected in its affordable fee structure, which are lower than the ministry-approved fees thereby pro-

viding an opportunity to students from all walks of life.

Delhi Private School, Ajman, established in April 2017 under the aegis of The Delhi Public School Society, offers a CBSE curriculum with a safe and intellectually challenging environment that empowers students to become innovative thinkers, creative problem solvers and inspired learners prepared to thrive in the 21st century.

Pace envisions a learning environment where the uniqueness of each child is considered, providing the best opportunities of growth and development, enabling students to be self-confident, responsible, independent, tolerant, generous and sensitive to environmental concerns through a technologically advanced curriculum based on skill development, with sound values to face society’s challenges happily.

Pace believes in cultivating intelligence and talent because these qualities continue to expand when encouraged and in the right environment.

In recent times there has been a shift towards the increased acceptance of valuing creativity for all learners.

THE INDIAN ACADEMY, DUBAI

T

Platform for developing innovative skills

he Indian Academy, Dubai, invites you to yet another successful year of learning and achievements. As an Indian curriculum school, a fine blend of the best of all boards is adopted and taught to the students, thereby giving them a high and challenging platform for learning and applying their innovative skills.

Special features include inclusive school with a strong SEND department; active participation in environment and social initiatives;

excellent results in maths and science in international benchmarking exams; excellent infrastructure with state-of-the-art facilities (indoor auditorium and swimming pool); and unique teaching methodology that allows students to experiment, explore and analyse real-life situations and use techniques to manage them. All this is available in the CBSE curriculum.

Monthly fee payment option and safe transport from multiple locations are also available.

Gulf News | Wednesday, January 17, 2018 ADVERTISERS’ CONTENT

DWIGHT SCHOOL DUBAI

New IB school to focus on individualised learning

D

wight School is renowned for providing an academically rigorous International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum, with campuses around the globe.

Founded in 1872, Dwight is proud to be recognised by the IB Organization as a world leader in international education. Opening in Dubai in September, Dwight School will offer the IB curriculum at all stages of schooling from Pre-K to Grade 12.

At the heart of a Dwight education sits an emphasis on individualised learning and creative entrepreneurship tailored to the needs of every student. Dwight is thus open to anyone aspiring to the highest quality international

education. Dwight School’s personalised learning pillar, Quest, focuses on developing each student’s unique potential. The school embraces the individuality of each learner, as no two students are the same.

Dwight School Dubai will be located on a 40,000-square-metre campus in Al Barsha South. The campus will be fully equipped with state-of-the-art facilities.

Students will enjoy great sports facilities, with multi-disciplinary tracks, tennis, basketball and squash courts, dance studios and swimming pools, as well as the latest educational technology and flexible learning spaces to inspire creativity and innovation.

PRIMUS PRIVATE SCHOOL, DUBAI

Learners’ paradise

“I

n the race of excellence there is no finish line.”

These words of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, are encouraging and inspiring. A school’s excellence transpires in the learning environment and synergy among the students, teachers and parents. “We believe learning is most rewarding in a school that is creative and fundamentally fun,” says Arundhati Rawat, Principal, Primus Private School, Dubai.

“We strive to achieve this excellence every day. The school life at Primus is vibrant, innovative and engaging. Children celebrate their childhood and are empowered to be self-directed and lifelong learners.

The best things in life are not the exceptional rare moments, but the everyday moments, the meaningful routine we create. If we can find inspiration in everyday events, we will be present and engaged in ways that will lead to success and happiness.”

● Arundhati Rawat, Principal, Primus Private School, Dubai

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Wednesday, January 17, 2018 | Gulf News

22

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HABITAT SCHOOLS

THE BRITISH COLUMBIA CANADIAN SCHOOL

Innovate to educate

H

abitat Schools became a breakthrough concept in UAE’s educational arena by merging the possibilities of teaching, technology and nature.

Habitat Schools are one of the most innovative budget schools in the northern emirates.

At Habitat Schools windows open to vistas of greenery and every classroom is abuzz with technology integration.

They offer state-of-the-art facilities at very affordable fees.

Habitat Schools’ mission is to instil in students compassion and the hard skills that will be needed to succeed in the 21st century, in resonance with the competing world and yet at peace with the nature around them.

The key element of Habitat is its close affiliation to nature and amazing symmetry with technology. Habitat Schools have uniquely designed spaces in their campuses called Cyber Squares.

It is here that students are taught to work with and research digital technology, with students as young as first graders being taught programming and coding.

For the first time in the northern emirates, one of its schools,

Habitat School Ajman conducted a Digital Festival in October 2017.

More than 250 exhibits designed by students were on show, some of which even displayed artificial intelligence. A women’s security app was also exhibited.

At the same time, Habitat Schools never lose sight of the fact that their students should imbibe essential values that will keep them firmly rooted. For the 2017 Year of Giving, the foundational school of the group, International Indian School, Ajman organised a charity exhibition in December 2017 called Art for Giving, which raised Dh46,528 that went to the Emirates Red Crescent.

Habitat Schools are about to begin another novel, exciting initiative — a community radio to get students and parents to plug in and connect.

The schools have many firsts to their credit. This includes integrating farming into the curriculum, introducing coding and programming at the elementary levels and introducing the concept of budget schooling with premium facilities. Habitat Schools innovate to educate.

T

Educating future decision makers

he British Columbia Canadian School (BCCS) offers the highest performing English language curriculum in the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development’s (OECD) PISA assessments; its curriculum can be relied on to deliver results. As per the most recent PISA results, the British Columbia (BC) curriculum is ranked first in the world for reading, second in science and sixth in mathematics. Students here follow the same courses, with the same learning outcomes and assessments as all BC students, whether they are based in Canada or in one of the certified offshore schools across the globe.

“Our school is a part of the British Columbia Global Education Programme. This programme makes it possible for schools in other countries (offshore schools) to offer BC curriculum to international students,” says BCCS Principal, Shawn Merke. “British Columbia offshore schools are inspected annually and certified by the BC government. Students registered in the

BC Global Education Programme at an offshore school receive instruction in English by only BC certified teachers,” she adds.

The teacher’s role is to guide the students into becoming independent thinkers and decision makers who can confront and overcome problems. Graduates from the programme receive a BC Certificate of Graduation (Dogwood Diploma).

The school’s culture is one of community, respect and family. It is a priority that the students feel comfortable, secure and respected in their learning environment, so that they are able to perform at their optimal levels. It is essential that students connect to the community and feel being a part of something bigger — the BCCS family. “To help achieve our goals, we have created the three-mapleleaf mantra: respect for oneself, respect for others and respect for the environment. To ensure that this mantra is always at the forefront of the students’ thoughts, three maples are embroidered on their uniform,” says Merke.

BRIGHTON COLLEGE DUBAI

Opening in Al Barsha South in September 2018

B

righton College, the renowned and academically successful co-educational school in the UK, will open its third branch in the UAE in September. Established in 1845 and renowned for its heritage, Brighton College UK has achieved numerous awards, including being named Most Forward-Thinking School in Britain in the 2017 Independent Schools’ awards in The Week magazine.

Brighton College Dubai will offer students a FS1 to Year 13 British curriculum in a co-educational setting, leading to the award of IGCSEs and A-levels, enabling pupils to access the leading universities of the world. The school will offer a truly British educational experience, where the highest academic standards are complemented by a focus on students’ holistic personal development.

Brighton College Dubai is located in Al Barsha South on a 40,000-square-metre worldclass campus designed by Brighton College and its local partner, Bloom Education.

The new college will offer state-of-the-art facilities such as large, airy classrooms incorporating the latest educational tech; a spectacular auditorium; and outstanding sporting facilities, including a 25-metre pool.

Gulf News | Wednesday, January 17, 2018

23

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KINGS’ EDUCATION

What sets Kings’ apart?

“A

t Kings’ Schools we teach our children to become effective, enthusiastic and independent lifelong learners, able to adapt to challenges and thrive in a fast-moving, modern world,” says Alan Williamson, Director of Education and Principal, Kings’ School Al Barsha. “What sets us apart is not only our inspiring, passionate and highly qualified staff, world-class facilities and educational track record, but also our guiding principles through which we strive every day to do ‘The Best by Every Child’.

“Our approach to delivering the highest standards of education is rooted in our British heritage and international perspective. We treat each child as an individual, crafting personalised pathways to ensure they get the most from their exciting learning journey.

“As one of the foremost international schools groups in Dubai, our family-led community is as diverse as the nation it proudly represents. British families are still the overwhelming majority with more than 60 other nationalities represented. While our academic approach is predominantly based

on the UK education system, at Kings’ we embrace an international educational culture adapting the best aspects of global learning.

“Kings’ Dubai continues to be the longest-standing Outstanding school in Dubai. Our foundation, primary and secondary schools share an impressive record of academic achievements and progress.

We understand that in a highly competitive world your children need the very best start in life.

“To make this a reality we hand-select the best teachers from around the world; individuals who are confident will nurture, develop and provide your child with world-class learning opportunities within the context of strong pastoral care.

“At Kings’ we do things differently. This isn’t a marketing cliché but refers to the way we place emotional intelligence at the heart of everything we do. Happy children are successful individuals and we work hard to infuse a love of learning within a supportive, challenging and inclusive environment.

“This still results in strong attainment but without undermin-

● Alan Williamson, Director of Education and Principal, Kings’ School Al Barsha

ing the importance of wider student achievement.

“Learning behaviours are also a key focus at Kings’ from collaboration, critical thinking and enquiring minds to emotional intelligence and leadership. Teaching children to think for themselves and flourish in a technologically advanced society, we know that effective communication, working with others, problem-solving, risk-taking and overcoming chal-

lenges is part and parcel of being a Kings’ learner.

“We believe that everyone in school should be a role model to others, right from the youngest members of our community.

Achieving results the right way while enjoying learning is fundamental. Respect for each other, the outcomes of their learning, and their environment is essential. Progress and academic success go hand in hand with fun, and we are very hands-on when it comes to ensuring our children are equipped with the right skills and learning tools while monitoring their well-being and rewarding achievement.

“I feel personally honoured and privileged to be at the helm of such a wonderful group of schools. However, beyond the essential importance of leadership, it is our children, learning professionals and parents that collectively shape, support and deliver the Kings’ vision. Together, we continue to develop and inspire our young learners to become the leaders of tomorrow.”

To find out more about the schools, visit Kings-edu.com