It's Working: Dubai Schools Up Standards by Sharing

Access to high quality education has proven to be a key driver of Dubai's robust economy, writes guest contributor, Rob Stokoe, Director of Jumeirah English Speaking Schools, Dubai and a NET Leading Thinker. Building a knowledge economy based on a world-class education system is one of the central aims of the Dubai Strategic Plan 2015, and the UAE Vision 2021, and the 'What Works' initiative could be a key contributor on delivering that mission, he argues.

Dubai has a unique and dynamic context with regard to education where the predominant sector is private rather than state funded, serving students from over fifty different nationalities through the provision of fifteen curricular models.

Within this context the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) have partnered with the educational community to define a unique opportunity to share educational insights and practice from around the globe.

Known as the What Works conferences, the aim is to encourage educators to collaborate, share and commit to the development of colleagues for the good of education across the Emirate, involving educators from a global context.  This is the background to an initiative which is inviting private schools to come together to celebrate and share great teaching and learning for the benefit of our students.

We often talk to our teachers about accepting high levels of challenge, taking a risk in order to promote greater effectiveness in the classroom. When we first discussed the concept of six conferences over the academic year it was to say the least daunting. Such an ambitious development does require careful planning and detailed consideration. However in the context of 'can do' Dubai, proactive and ambitious teams, high levels of support from within KHDA and indeed the wider educational community, the concept has been successfully implemented.

More than this we are breaking down barriers. We are creating profound networking opportunities and a culture of trust which will inform and develop educational growth at a variety of levels over the coming years.  It has been inspirational to see how busy educators have given the time to present such well informed and gratefully received presentations. Their professionalism has been a joy to behold.

We know teaching is dynamic and extraordinarily complex work; yet all too often it takes place in isolated situations.  An agreed pillar of educator development is reflection upon teaching and learning. Reflection often consists of looking back and learning from your own experience rather than more collegiate contexts where educators can work together, share, collaborate and grow together.

Our purpose in instigating the What Works conferences has been to transform Dubai's Education sector through collaboration, to develop the opportunity for educators to increase periodical meetings, to share best practices based on the concept of appreciative inquiry.  The What Works conferences have been designed and developed to encourage teacher learning through active engagement, collaborative inquiry and questioning, to encourage educators to consider what they can be and how they can grow.

Throughout we have used the sunflower as our logo because it is a heliotrope, following the sun as it journeys across the sky.  As educators we must continually track and celebrate the development of improved, inspirational practice and methodologies as well as sharing with our colleagues in a constructive, positive and developmental way.

Each conference platform is providing opportunities for sixteen presentations. Each is fronted by highly talented and engaged educators who benefit from recognition of their professionalism and are committed to developing increased insight and opportunities for fellow educators.  What Works is creating an environment which not only values teachers, but actively encourages and nurtures their continuing professional development.

In essence we are sharing a global understanding of good learning and teaching. Alongside this we have the data from TIMMS and PIRLS Assessment as well as a wealth of information from the KHDA inspection initiative. To date 83% of Dubai private schools have benefitted from participation, with feedback identifying a satisfaction rate of 99%.

To what extent we have met our intention to provide educators across Dubai with the opportunities and support to enable them to become active investigators of their own teaching, time will tell. What we do know is that we have taken the first step, and in response to our first four conferences it is fair to say we have had a very good beginning.

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Rob Stokoe is Director of Jumeirah English Speaking Schools, Dubai and a NET Leading Thinker.

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