Announcements
No KHDA inspection for Dubai school next year: Would it impact rating and fees?
Private schools in Dubai will not be subject to comprehensive inspections throughout the 2024-25 academic year, as per a new directive from the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA). The only exception to this policy applies to newly established schools that are entering their third year of operations during the upcoming academic year. This recent decision was communicated to all Dubai schools via a circular issued by the KHDA. The authority aims to streamline the inspection process, focusing on institutions at a critical stage of their development while temporarily relieving more established schools from the full inspection regimen.
The KHDA circular reads, “We would also like to inform you of an important update to school inspections during the 2024-25 academic year. Full school inspections will not be conducted across all private schools in Dubai, except for new private schools that will be in their third year of operation during the academic year.”
However, schools may request a comprehensive inspection from the Dubai Schools Inspection Bureau (DSIB). Such requests will be reviewed and approved at the discretion of the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA). Schools are required to submit their requests by July 5, 2024. The KHDA issued, “Schools with approved requests will be notified during Term 2 of the 2024-25 academic year.”
Dubai schools traditionally undergo annual inspections, during which they are evaluated and assigned ratings. However, these inspections were suspended during the pandemic. The ratings, which span from ‘Outstanding’ to ‘Weak’, are determined based on a defined set of criteria.
What is the current status of the ongoing inspection of schools under the KHDA?
The latest circular also mentions, “DSIB will conduct other visits that target specific focus areas and include ongoing monitoring activities. Schools will be notified ahead of time on the areas of focus and priorities for the next academic year.”
All schools are required to regularly update their ‘Self-Evaluation Form’ and online school profile over the course of the next academic year. It is imperative for schools to ensure that all necessary information is readily available for review by DSIB. Additionally, schools must consistently administer all critical external benchmark assessments.
Belrehif stated, “The School Self-Evaluation Form is an essential part of schools’ ongoing cycle of review and improvement planning and helps them measure how well they are doing in different performance indicators outlined in the UAE School Inspection Framework.”
Impact on School Rankings and Fees
The ability of schools to increase their fees is contingent upon their most recent evaluation by the DSIB. Schools that receive higher ratings are typically allowed to impose more substantial fee hikes. In April 2024, the KHDA introduced an Education Cost Index (ECI) set at 2.6 percent which would enable schools to modify their tuition fees for the 2024-25 academic year accordingly. The private schools in Dubai had been granted permission to raise tuition fees by up to 5.2 percent, as determined by their latest KHDA inspection outcomes.
In a recent interview, Fatma Belrehif, DSIB CEO, announced, “The School Fees Framework is the mechanism by which schools can adjust their fees annually. The rate by which schools can adjust their fees is tied to each school’s most recent inspection rating. Any fee adjustment by schools must be approved by the KHDA. Schools will be notified in case of any changes or updates to the fee framework.”
How does this circular affect schools and parents?
Schools: Schools may need to adapt their internal quality assurance processes, relying more on self-evaluation and external feedback to maintain and improve standards.
- Strategic Planning: With the absence of formal inspections, schools might focus on alternative ways to attract and retain students, such as enhancing their curriculum, extracurricular offerings, or investing in teacher development.
- Performance Monitoring: Schools will need to find new methods to monitor and report their performance, potentially increasing collaboration with parent-teacher associations and using third-party evaluators.
Parents: Guardians and Parents may find it more challenging to assess the quality and performance of schools without the KHDA’s annual inspection reports. They might need to rely on word-of-mouth, online reviews, and direct engagement with schools to make informed decisions.
- Engagement and Feedback: The halt in inspections could encourage more proactive engagement between parents and schools. Parents may need to take a more active role in communicating their expectations and concerns to ensure their child’s educational needs are met.
- Financial Considerations: With the potential stability in school fees, parents might experience a degree of financial predictability. However, they should stay informed about any changes schools might implement to maintain quality in the absence of inspections.
As the educational community awaits further details and guidance from the KHDA, stakeholders are keenly observing how this decision will shape educational practices and policies in Dubai for the upcoming academic year.
Announcements
Indian wellness practioner Piush Jain eyes global expansion, announces plans for Dubai
Award-winning Indian wellness practioner Dr Piush Jain, renowned for his groundbreaking age reversal therapy using Ayurvedic medicines and herbs, is now eyeing global expansion with Dubai as his first international hub.
Dr Jain, who runs the famous Dr PK Jain Clinics with a legacy of close to hundred years in the Indian city of Lucknow, has helped many reverse aging process, naturally, through a 5000-year-old age reversal Ayurvedic therapy. And now, the leading Ayurveda exponent is ready to spearhead age reversal therapy by taking his line of work to the wider world.
“My line of treatment is a revolutionary step forward in the field of age management and hormonal health and it is something I now want more people from around the world to have greater access to. So there’s no place better than Dubai to start my global operations from. And our plans are to be in business within this quarter pending all necessary approvals from relevant authorities,” Dr Jain said this week during his trip to Dubai where he is meeting officials from various health authorities ahead of his grand launch. “Dubai is home to close to 200 nationalities. So setting up a business means unparalleled opportunities for growth and innovation, thanks to its strategic location, world-class infrastructure, and business-friendly environment and also a gateway to the wider world”
Dr. Jain – a fourth-generation practitioner from a family of holistic wellness therapists who have been tapping the power of traditional Ayurvedic practices for over a 100 years in India – stresses particularly on the use of Amalki Rasayana herbs, that he says, have a positive impact on the pituitary-gonadal axis – a key controller of aging and vitality.
“What sets us apart is our work on the pituitary gland. Often referred to as the ‘master gland,’ it plays a pivotal role in regulating the body’s hormonal balance and, consequently, the ageing process. My groundbreaking treatment taps the power of traditional Ayurvedic medical practices like the age old Amal Ki Rasayan and other herbs to harness the natural functions of the pituitary gland to manage age-related hormonal changes. By stimulating the gland in a way that mimics the body’s own processes, this innovative approach effectively slows down the ageing process without introducing any side effects,” explains Dr Jain who has been lauded with lifetime achievement awards both internationally and in his native India.
Recent studies underline the potential of Ayurvedic treatments to enhance longevity and quality of life. Research published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine published by MDPI (Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute), the Swiss-based publisher of open-access scientific journals and the largest of its kind, emphasises how natural compounds can reduce oxidative stress and inflammation, critical factors behind aging process. A comprehensive study on the effects of Vajikaran Rasayana herbs substantiates their significant influence on hormonal balance and vitality. “The results are stunning – one’s hair start growing again, one’s skin starts glowing just as your other organs including brain, kidney and liver start functioning at an optimum level again thereby making one reverse a lot of usual age-related conditions like diabetes, hypertension, eventually making the patient feel better emotionally, physically and even sexually as part of a holistic wellness therapy,” he says.
Based in Lucknow but now with a firm eye on global expansions starting with Dubai, Dr. Jain’s clinic has scripted many success stories. His patients have reported feeling more energetic, mentally clearer, and looking younger. Not just in India, his work is also gaining attention and popularity across the globe as more and more people look for alternative anti-aging treatments.
For more information about Dr. Piush Jain and his Ayurvedic age reversal therapy, please visit https://www.drpkjain.com/ or contact: India – +919415027773 /+917007467416
UAE – +971545935289
Petrol prices have reduced for the second time in July after dropping in June. The UAE fuel price committee announced the petrol and diesel prices for the month of July 2024 on Sunday. The rates will be applicable from July 1 onwards.
Super 98 petrol will cost AED2.99 a litre, down from AED 3.14 a litre in June, while Special 95 petrol will cost AED2.88 a litre, down from AED3.02 per litre the previous month.E-Plus 91 petrol will cost AED2.80 a litre, down from AED2.95 a litre, while diesel will cost AED2.89 a litre, up from AED2.88 a litre.
Since 2015, fuel prices in the UAE have been moving in line with the international markets.
Prices are determined by the fuel price committee, chaired by the undersecretary of the Ministry of Energy.
The committee includes members of the energy and finance ministries, as well as CEOs of Adnoc Distribution and Emirates National Oil Company.
The committee, when deciding the fuel pieces, does not rely on just one global market. It considers an average of global prices as well as operating costs of distribution companies.
The Global Chess League, a joint initiative between the International Chess Federation (FIDE) and Tech Mahindra, a leading global provider of technology consulting and digital solutions to enterprises across industries, is set for a highly anticipated second edition in London. Following the success of the first edition, the league aims to unite the world’s top chess players in one of the most historic cities.
The 10-day, one-of-a-kind chess league featuring top players will take place at Friends House, located in the heart of central London, from October 3rd to 12th, 2024. Based on the feedback from fans worldwide, London was selected as the venue for this season to connect with the fast-growing fan base and enthusiasm for chess in the European region.
Arkady Dvorkovich, FIDE President, said, “After a fantastic response to the inaugural season, we are excited to continue our mission of expanding the reach of chess worldwide and drawing in new experiences for chess fans. Tech Mahindra’s commitment to usher in a new era in the modern chess ecosystem is commendable, and we are confident that the second edition of the league will provide the right platform and push needed to further elevate the sport.”
Through this innovative league, FIDE and Tech Mahindra aim to revolutionize the fan experience of chess through a new format and ecosystem, providing an inclusive platform for fans to support their favourite teams and stars, similar to major global sports leagues. The second edition will feature top players from around the world, including reigning world champions and rising stars, competing in a unique team format that emphasizes strategy, collaboration, and high-stakes play.
Mohit Joshi, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Tech Mahindra, said, “Chess and business share key values such as planning, speed, strategy, and risk management. The infusion of technology opens exciting new opportunities, transforming both fields. The Global Chess League’s second edition creates a unique platform for the global growth of Chess.”
Building on the success of its first season, the league aims to further broaden the viewership base through live broadcasts, interactive fan experiences, and community engagement activities like soon to be launched Global Chess League Trophy Tour. In the tournament, the players will compete in a unique joint team format consisting of six players, including two top women chess players and a prodigy player per team. Each team will play a total of 10 matches in a double round-robin format, with the winner of each match being decided in a best-of-six board scoring system.
Peeyush Dubey, Chairperson, Global Chess League Board, said, “We will continue to leverage the Global Chess League’s innovative format and next-gen technologies to captivate and engage fans worldwide. The second edition is seeing unprecedented excitement from our partners and stakeholders. Together with FIDE, our vision for the league is to bring the best from the chess world.”
The second season will see FIDE and Tech Mahindra collaborate to tap into the growing chess fan base, build a larger audience for chess viewing, and engage in exciting fan activities such as the ongoing all-inclusive hackathon. The hackathon engages with participants of all chess skill levels and technical expertise and collates ideas for improving the way chess is experienced, played, and consumed. Participants can propose ideas in various categories, including education, digital innovation, social impact, business, and arts, among others.
Indian wellness practioner Piush Jain eyes global expansion, announces plans for Dubai
Price Drop: Fuel in UAE to cost lower in July
Tech Mahindra Global Chess League to Host its Second Edition in London
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