Parents and students in the UAE are welcoming the decision to replace traditional exams with skills-based evaluations for some students in public schools. This move will see students in grades 5 to 8 being assessed through project-based evaluations in the second term of the current school year. The Minister of State for Public Education and Advanced Technology, Sarah Al Amiri, announced this change, highlighting that the transition will be gradual to ensure a smooth adaptation for public schools.
The shift to skills-based evaluations is a much-needed change in the learning approach, with students like Fatima Al Matar Al Mansouri expressing excitement about the new system. Fatima, a seventh grader, believes that project-based assessments will allow for creativity and real-life application of knowledge, moving away from the stress associated with exams. She hopes for a balance between group and individual projects to ensure fair evaluation and better retention of information.
The emphasis on skills-based evaluations is seen as a positive step towards enriching students’ learning outcomes by putting theoretical knowledge into practice. This change has sparked excitement among students, who see it as an opportunity to engage in hands-on activities and express their creativity. By embracing this change, students like Fares Al Mazmi, an eighth grader, look forward to spending less time on traditional studying methods and more time on practical projects, which they find more engaging and beneficial.
The new evaluation framework has also received strong support from parents, who believe it will enhance their children’s intellectual and creative skills. Parents like Shamsa Al Ali, a retired teacher, and Intisar Ali, a parent of an eighth grader, are optimistic about the shift towards practical learning. They believe that focusing on practical skills will boost enthusiasm and allow students to apply their learning in real-world settings. This change is expected to empower students to explore their educational path effectively.
As excitement grows among parents and students, there is a need for clarity on how student projects will be evaluated and implemented in practice. While the specific details of the evaluation process are yet to be disclosed by the minister, the move towards skills-based assessments is seen as a positive step towards enhancing the overall learning experience for students in public schools. This shift away from traditional exams towards project-based assessments is expected to create a more engaging and effective learning environment for students in the UAE.
