Latest news with #SEF
The Citizen
20-05-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Alex youth join Services SETA for micro-enterprise development
Thembalethu Development is empowering young people, under the age of 29, in Alexandra through its Services SETA micro-enterprise initiative. The goal is not just to provide survivalist opportunities, but to foster sustainable micro-enterprises that empower young people and tackle unemployment. Read more: Thembalethu Development empowers Alexandra youth with skills and opportunities Over 40 young people met at the Alexandra Police Station on May 14 to sign contracts to participate in the Services SETA programme. Project co-ordinator Muhammed Gadimang explained that these young people are transitioning from the Social Employment Fund (SEF) initiative into the new programme. 'They are from the SEF programme. This one is the Services SETA [programme]. They are going to do the learnership around micro-entrepreneurship. So, we are graduating them from SEF and we are taking them into Services SETA to train them around micro-enterprise and around the business as well.' This marks the second round of youth entering such a programme. On May 3, the first group signed contracts for the BANK SETA initiative. Gadimang noted that while the sponsors differ, the focus remains the same. 'There is not much difference from the BANK SETA [initiative], except that the SETAs are different. They will be doing the same micro-enterprise development that BANK SETA is doing, just under different sponsors. This one focuses on youth, under 29, whereas before, we had some flexibility to include a few older participants.' Also read: YDE Lumen30 tackles youth unemployment and energy insecurity in Alexandra Thembalethu Development implements learnership programmes, including SETAs, and works with private companies to implement their corporate social responsibility (CSR). Gadimang emphasised the programme's long-term vision. 'The goal is career path development, whether that leads to formal employment or their own businesses… They gain specific skills, and as they move into entrepreneurship, we assess how to support them further. Should we need to help them register businesses, apply for funding, or procure equipment. In Alexandra, 20 people have already received business starter kits. We gave some for nail salons, and others for carpentry, plumbing, or panel beating.' The initiative is part of Thembalethu's ongoing effort to uplift Alexandra's youth. Gadimang spoke about their future plans, saying that they are hoping to run other programmes that Thembalethu might have from July onwards. Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration! Have a story idea? We'd love to hear from you – join our WhatsApp group and share your thoughts! Related article: Utnubu Movements STOL tries to decolonise Alex youth At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Khaleej Times
20-05-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
Dubai's KHDA announces pause on some school inspections for 2025-26
No inspections will be conducted for Dubai private schools during the 2025-26 academic year, the emirate's Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) announced on Friday, May 16. 'The decision – part of an evolving approach to supporting quality education in the emirate – applies to all private schools, except for those in their third year of operation, that will be subject to a full inspection,' KHDA said in a statement shared with Khaleej Times. '(We) will continue to monitor school performance through targeted visits focused on specific areas related to educational quality and ongoing development. These visits will be informed by feedback from the school community and aligned with the Education 33 strategy's priorities,' KHDA added. 'Dubai's private schools have consistently demonstrated resilience, innovation, and a deep commitment to students' learning and wellbeing,' Fatma Ibrahim Belrehif, CEO of the Education Quality Assurance and Compliance Agency at KHDA further explained. She noted: 'The suspension of inspections next year will allow for greater collaboration and reflection on how we define and support quality in education. Through targeted visits and ongoing engagement with schools, we will ensure that every child in Dubai continues to receive a high quality education that aligns with (our) goals.' Self-evaluation forms All schools, however, are expected to continue administering external benchmark assessments to monitor and report students' academic progress. Schools will also be required to provide regular updates through their self-evaluation forms (SEF). According to Dubai Schools Inspection Bureau (DSIB), SEF outline the improvement process of a school, where they are asked to respond to specific questions about their 'provision for special educational needs, early years formation, innovation, the UAE National Agenda, social studies and students for whom English is an additional language (EAL).' All schools must complete the KHDA self-evaluation online document at least two weeks before their inspections. Meanwhile, KHDA early this month approved private schools in Dubai to raise school fees for next academic year on the basis of Education Cost Index (ECI) of 2.35 per cent. In Dubai, for-profit schools can increase their fees based on their individual school grade as per the results of the Dubai School Inspection Bureau (DSIB), and the ECI which is calculated on a regular basis. Any fee increase can only be implemented for a particular academic year and cannot be carried forward to the upcoming academic years.
Hi Dubai
19-05-2025
- Business
- Hi Dubai
KHDA Suspends Inspections for Dubai Private Schools for 2025-26 Academic Year
Dubai's Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) has announced that no inspections will be conducted for most private schools in the emirate during the 2025-26 academic year, marking a significant shift in its approach to evaluating education quality. The decision, revealed on Friday, May 16, applies to all private schools in Dubai except those in their third year of operation. These newer schools will still undergo full inspections. The KHDA explained that the move aligns with a broader strategy to foster collaboration, innovation, and ongoing development in the education sector. Instead of traditional inspections, the KHDA will carry out targeted visits focused on specific areas of educational quality. These visits will be guided by community feedback and aligned with the priorities of the UAE's Education 33 strategy. Fatma Ibrahim Belrehif, CEO of the Education Quality Assurance and Compliance Agency at KHDA, highlighted the rationale behind the change. 'The suspension of inspections next year will allow for greater collaboration and reflection on how we define and support quality in education,' she said. 'Through targeted visits and ongoing engagement with schools, we will ensure that every child in Dubai continues to receive a high quality education that aligns with our goals.' Schools are still required to monitor and report academic progress through external benchmark assessments. Additionally, they must regularly update their self-evaluation forms (SEF), which are designed to reflect each school's progress and focus on areas such as special educational needs, early years development, innovation, social studies, and English as an additional language. According to the Dubai Schools Inspection Bureau (DSIB), schools must submit their SEF documents online at least two weeks prior to any scheduled visit or inspection. The announcement follows KHDA's recent approval allowing private schools in Dubai to raise tuition fees for the next academic year, based on an Education Cost Index (ECI) of 2.35 percent. For-profit schools may adjust fees depending on their inspection ratings and the ECI, though any increases apply only for a single academic year and cannot be carried forward. Dubai's education regulator emphasized that while inspections are on hold, maintaining high standards in teaching and student wellbeing remains a top priority. News Source: Khaleej Times
TAG 91.1
16-05-2025
- Business
- TAG 91.1
Dubai's KHDA announces pause on some school inspections
No inspections will be carried out in some private schools in Dubai during the 2025-26 academic year, the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) announced. The decision is part of an evolving approach to supporting quality education in the emirate. In a statement, the KHDA said the move will apply to all private schools, except those in their third year of operation, who will be subject to a full inspection. KHDA will continue to monitor school performance through targeted visits focused on specific areas related to educational quality and ongoing development. These visits will be informed by feedback from the school community and aligned with the Education 33 strategy's priorities. All schools are expected to continue administering external benchmark assessments to ensure students' academic progress is consistently measured and reported. Schools will also be required to provide regular updates through their self-evaluation forms (SEF). 'The suspension of inspections next year will allow for greater collaboration and reflection on how we define and support quality in education," explained Fatma Ibrahim Belrehif, CEO of the Education Quality Assurance and Compliance Agency at KHDA. "Through targeted visits and ongoing engagement with schools, we will ensure that every child in Dubai continues to receive a high quality education that aligns with the goals of our leadership and the Education 33 strategy."
Dubai Eye
16-05-2025
- Business
- Dubai Eye
Dubai's KHDA announces pause on some school inspections
No inspections will be carried out in some private schools in Dubai during the 2025-26 academic year, the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) announced. The decision is part of an evolving approach to supporting quality education in the emirate. In a statement, the KHDA said the move will apply to all private schools, except those in their third year of operation, who will be subject to a full inspection. KHDA will continue to monitor school performance through targeted visits focused on specific areas related to educational quality and ongoing development. These visits will be informed by feedback from the school community and aligned with the Education 33 strategy's priorities. All schools are expected to continue administering external benchmark assessments to ensure students' academic progress is consistently measured and reported. Schools will also be required to provide regular updates through their self-evaluation forms (SEF). 'The suspension of inspections next year will allow for greater collaboration and reflection on how we define and support quality in education," explained Fatma Ibrahim Belrehif, CEO of the Education Quality Assurance and Compliance Agency at KHDA. "Through targeted visits and ongoing engagement with schools, we will ensure that every child in Dubai continues to receive a high quality education that aligns with the goals of our leadership and the Education 33 strategy."
