Dubai teachers, principals hail paperless school inspection

Inspectors will be using a smart platform and schools are expected to veer away from presenting paper-documents.

 Going paperless for this year's school inspections is a "brilliant decision", Dubai teachers and principals have said.

The Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) on Sunday announced a number of changes that will take effect in the 12th cycle of inspections next month, and one of them is significantly cutting down on paper use throughout the entire process.

Inspectors will be using a smart platform and schools are expected to veer away from presenting paper-documents.

Sangita Chima, executive principal of Amity School Dubai, praised the move, saying they are well prepared for the new procedure. "The decision endorses our beliefs in sustainability and evolving learning environments. With this, we are encouraged to showcase all our practices online and in digital media.

"Tablets will be used in large numbers, and inspectors will be free to move with tablets in their hands," said Chima. 

Zubair Ahmad, head of HR and administration of Springdales School Dubai, said that such an eco-friendly policy perfectly fits the national agenda.

"Teachers will strive hard to achieve higher ratings, and there will be visible progress within the school. By introducing a paperless inspection, the regulatory body has achieved the goals of the UAE leadership," Ahmad said.

Shorter notice period

As part of the changes, the KHDA also shortened the inspection notice period from three weeks to five days. Many school leaders welcomed the move, saying they are always ready for such assessments.Rashmi Nandkeolyar, principal and director of Delhi Private School in Dubai, said: "Schools are well prepared from day one, so the notice period does not make much of a difference.

"Our experience with the KHDA has shown that they are a very dynamic, ever-evolving body that listens to all members of the education sector."

Chima added that the KHDA's methods have significantly helped schools improve through the years.

"As far as I am concerned, the entire process has matured. With that maturity, schools have been able to manage their performance effectively," she said.