Performance of Indian Schools in Dubai 2014-2015 Inspection Finding Key Findings Report - Dubai Private Schools | Page 28
7 years on... Inspecting for school improvement: A collaborative journey
Arabic as a first language
Research has shown the benefits of bilingualism on students’ intellectual, social and educational
development. It points out that students who learn English and continue to develop their
native language tend to have higher academic achievement in later years than do students
who learn English at the expense of their first language. It is therefore crucial that Emirati and
Arab students receive good quality provision of Arabic as a first language, not only to preserve
their identity, self-esteem, heritage and culture but also to allow them to develop intellectually
and academically.
All Dubai private schools with Emirati and Arab students now offer Arabic as a first language
to their students. There has been a significant improvement in schools’ compliance with the
Ministry of Education requirements regarding the amount of time and resources that should
be allocated to Arabic as a first language. The quality of provision, however, remains a great
concern.
Attainment
Apart from a drop in unsatisfactory judgements, there has not been any significant
improvement in students’ attainment in Arabic as a first language since the first
cycle of inspections. Students’ listening and responding skills remain stronger than
their ability to handle unfamiliar reading texts and to write at length. The latter
two skills remain key areas for improvement in most schools.
2008-2009
2014-2015
54% 59%
17%
27% 32%
9%
Unsatisfactory
2% 0%
Acceptable
Good
Outstanding
Progress
The progress that students make in learning Arabic as a first language remains
alarmingly low. This is mainly due to issues around the quality of teaching,
assessment, and curriculum design and modification.
54%
27% 24%
17% 15%
Unsatisfactory
16
2008-2009
2014-2015
60%
2% 1%
Acceptable
Good
Outstanding