Latest news with #EducationStandards
Zawya
16-06-2025
- General
- Zawya
Abu Dhabi private schools to display performance ratings - What every parent needs to know
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates: In a landmark initiative to enhance transparency and strengthen community engagement, the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) has introduced official School Performance Plaques that will be prominently displayed at the entrances of every private school in the emirate. The plaques will reflect each school's latest Irtiqa'a inspection rating and National Identity Mark, serving as a clear and visible reference for parents, students, and school visitors. This step reinforces ADEK's commitment to raising education standards and empowering parents with meaningful insights into their child's learning environment. 'These plaques represent more than just a rating — they reflect a school's commitment to academic excellence and to nurturing a strong sense of national identity in our students,' said Sulaiman Al Ameri, Acting Private Education and Charter Schools Sector Executive Director at ADEK. 'By making performance outcomes visible, we're encouraging continuous improvement and giving parents a transparent, at-a-glance understanding of school quality.' The plaques showcase two key indicators of school quality: Irtiqaa Rating – an inspection framework that evaluates school performance across six core areas: student achievement, personal and social development, teaching and assessment, curriculum quality, student care and wellbeing, and leadership effectiveness. National Identity Mark – A measure of how well schools embed and promote national culture, values, and citizenship within their educational environment. In the future, the School Performance Plaques will also feature the Wellbeing Mark, reflecting schools' related efforts in nurturing and positively impacting students' and teachers' social, emotional and physical wellbeing. The initiative aligns with ADEK's broader efforts to create a world-class education ecosystem in Abu Dhabi, where informed decision-making by families is a pillar of success. Parents are encouraged to look for the plaques when visiting schools and explore more about the Irtiqa'a and National Identity frameworks on the ADEK website or its parent app – Rayah. -Ends- For more information, visit or follow ADEK on social media: About Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) The Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) is the Education Sector regulator across the Emirate. It oversees and provides services throughout a learner's journey from early education to university and beyond. It also champions inclusivity for People of Determination in the mainstream schooling system and by providing specialized schools. Across Early Childhood and K-12, ADEK licenses and regulates nurseries and private schools in Abu Dhabi while also legislating, mandating, and managing its own Charter Schools and 2 schools for People of Determination. ADEK also annually provides distinguished Abu Dhabi students with full scholarships and support to study at the best universities around the world. In addition, the Department audits and enhances the delivery of Higher Education in Abu Dhabi, attracting Higher Education Institutions to open the required Program or schools that serve Abu Dhabi's needs while championing a student and faculty-friendly ecosystem in the Emirate. With a vision to Empower Education. Empower Minds. Empower the Future, ADEK recognizes that every learner is different, and a diversity of teaching methods are essential for students to succeed. To that effect, ADEK partners with stakeholders to enable a great education system to flourish in Abu Dhabi and nurture future-ready graduates who have the 21st-century skills required to sustain and carry forward Abu Dhabi's vision.
Dubai Eye
28-04-2025
- Business
- Dubai Eye
Dubai becomes autism-certified destination
Dubai has officially gained the recognition as an autism-certified destination, underscoring citywide efforts to make tourism more accessible and inclusive for all. The certification by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES) pegs Dubai as the first city in the Eastern Hemisphere to gain the title. The Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) collaborated with IBCCES to facilitate comprehensive autism and sensory awareness training for the city's tourist-facing workforce. In just over two years, the city has marked significant progress in inclusivity, with over 70,000 individuals receiving autism and sensory awareness training. It extends to the hospitality sector, where more than 300 hotels are actively engaged in a training and certification process, aiming to provide comfortable and inclusive experiences for guests with autism and sensory sensitivities. Additionally, more than 15 attractions, along with several beaches and parks, have earned IBCCES certifications, reinforcing the city's commitment to accessibility and inclusivity. Myron Pincomb, IBCCES Board Chairman and CEO, highlighted that the "achievement represents a significant step in ensuring that all visitors, including autistic people and individuals with sensory needs, can explore and experience everything Dubai has to offer with confidence and ease". It comes days after Emirates Airline got the recognition of the world's first Autism-Certified Airline, after successfully training over 30,000 cabin crew and ground staff in autism awareness and support. In December 2023, Dubai International (DXB) was recognised as the first international airport to earn the Certified Autism Centre designation. Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, said, "As the first and last impression of the city for millions of travellers, we embrace our responsibility to create a welcoming, accessible, and inclusive environment for all." Support from attractions and landmarks throughout the city has also been paramount to achieving the Certified Autism Destination status, with Expo City Dubai and a number of attractions under Dubai Holding Entertainment obtaining the recognition over the last year.
Gulf Insider
24-04-2025
- Business
- Gulf Insider
Emirates Becomes First Autism-Certified Airline Globally
Emirates has achieved designation as the world's first Autism Certified Airline™, with over 30,000 cabin crew and ground staff now trained to support customers with autism, the airline announced during Autism Awareness month. The certification follows a year-long collaboration with the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES), which involved detailed reviews and comprehensive audits to create a new blueprint for serving passengers with accessibility requirements, the airline said in a statement. Emirates expands autism travel rehearsals to 17 global cities The airline has also expanded its 'travel rehearsal' programme to 17 cities globally, including Barcelona, Brisbane, Budapest, Cebu, Christchurch, Dubai, Durban, Luanda, Madrid, Manila, Mauritius, Manchester, Montreal, Nice, Oslo, Paris and Toronto. 'Emirates has been driving and facilitating good progress in accessible travel, and it is part of our operational strategy. We continue to work on this mission to make travel more inclusive. At the beginning of 2024, we were recognised as a Certified Autism Center™. We have upskilled our teams and I am pleased to say that we are now the world's first autism-certified airline, with 30,000 frontline staff and cabin crew trained to support our customers with autism. Now we are also rolling out our Travel Rehearsal programme in cities across the globe, to break barriers and make travel accessible for everyone. This is part of our social and professional responsibility,' Adel al Redha, Deputy President and COO, Emirates said. The travel rehearsal concept began in 2023 as a community collaboration in Dubai, involving the Department of Economy and Tourism, Dubai Airports, the General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs, Dubai Police, Dubai Customs, and several schools and centres for autism. Children and their carers practised airport procedures, including check-in, baggage drop, immigration, security screening, and boarding, helping them become familiar with the airport environment and processes. Parents, therapists and teachers have reported that these rehearsals have been 'invaluable' in helping children have successful flights by offering preparation and familiarity, as well as trained staff support. Currently, the travel rehearsal initiative is available on an invitation basis in collaboration with accredited centres. Throughout April, Emirates highlighted autism awareness to passengers through its in-flight entertainment system, featuring films like Temple Grandin and Ezra , podcasts about Dubai's autism-friendly mission, and documentaries including BBC's 'Inside Our Autistic Minds.' The initiative supports Dubai's ambition to become the most accessible destination globally, addressing findings from an survey which revealed that 78 per cent of families hesitate to travel or visit new locations, while 94 per cent would take more holidays if staff were autism-trained and certified. Also read: Pahalgam Terror Attack: Dubai-Based Indian Expat Among Victims
Arabian Business
23-04-2025
- Business
- Arabian Business
Dubai's Emirates becomes world's first Autism Certified Airline
Emirates has achieved designation as the world's first Autism Certified Airline™, with over 30,000 cabin crew and ground staff now trained to support customers with autism, the airline announced during Autism Awareness month. The certification follows a year-long collaboration with the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES), which involved detailed reviews and comprehensive audits to create a new blueprint for serving passengers with accessibility requirements, the airline said in a statement. Emirates expands autism travel rehearsals to 17 global cities The airline has also expanded its 'travel rehearsal' programme to 17 cities globally, including Barcelona, Brisbane, Budapest, Cebu, Christchurch, Dubai, Durban, Luanda, Madrid, Manila, Mauritius, Manchester, Montreal, Nice, Oslo, Paris and Toronto. 'Emirates has been driving and facilitating good progress in accessible travel, and it is part of our operational strategy. We continue to work on this mission to make travel more inclusive. At the beginning of 2024, we were recognised as a Certified Autism Center™. We have upskilled our teams and I am pleased to say that we are now the world's first autism-certified airline, with 30,000 frontline staff and cabin crew trained to support our customers with autism. Now we are also rolling out our Travel Rehearsal programme in cities across the globe, to break barriers and make travel accessible for everyone. This is part of our social and professional responsibility,' Adel al Redha, Deputy President and COO, Emirates said. The travel rehearsal concept began in 2023 as a community collaboration in Dubai, involving the Department of Economy and Tourism, Dubai Airports, the General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs, Dubai Police, Dubai Customs, and several schools and centres for autism. Children and their carers practised airport procedures, including check-in, baggage drop, immigration, security screening, and boarding, helping them become familiar with the airport environment and processes. Parents, therapists and teachers have reported that these rehearsals have been 'invaluable' in helping children have successful flights by offering preparation and familiarity, as well as trained staff support. Currently, the travel rehearsal initiative is available on an invitation basis in collaboration with accredited centres. Throughout April, Emirates highlighted autism awareness to passengers through its in-flight entertainment system, featuring films like Temple Grandin and Ezra, podcasts about Dubai's autism-friendly mission, and documentaries including BBC's 'Inside Our Autistic Minds.' The initiative supports Dubai's ambition to become the most accessible destination globally, addressing findings from an survey which revealed that 78 per cent of families hesitate to travel or visit new locations, while 94 per cent would take more holidays if staff were autism-trained and certified.
