Our guests help us to understand the outlook for education in 2021 in two key areas (examinations and student wellbeing) as well as sharing with us their thoughts on seeing many schools return to distance learning as cases of Covid-19 rise across the UAE. We ask what students facing their exams should expect this year, what those applying for university in 2021 should consider and how both student and staff morale is holding up in these complicated times.
Emily and Zara, both leaders at British curriculum, all through schools in Dubai have many insights to share with our listeners. What have educators learnt and improved upon from the last round of distance learning? What has got better (or worse!) as we enter a new time of many students learning from home? How are students of all ages faring with the on/off nature of school attendance today? What new school initiatives would our school leaders like to keep hold of after the pandemic has passed, and what can’t they wait to put behind them?
Before we close the episode, Jenny chats to Carli Allan, WSA’s International Editor. Carli and her family have just relocated to the UK, in order for Carli to run www.whichschooladvisor.com/uk/. With a third UK wide national lockdown starting just days after arriving, her two children have now experienced online learning in both the UAE and the UK and we were keen to hear Carli's comparisons and thoughts on the key differences between the two countries.