Monday, Dec 07, 2009
Gulf News
Dubai Over 400 teachers and principals from private and public schools in Dubai will assess the achievements of pupils in maths and science in the context of data collected by an international assessment exam last year.
The Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) was carried out in 2007 in government and private schools by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA). It was the first such international assessment carried out in Dubai's schools.
The results of the process were published by KHDA a year ago, which indicated that Dubai pupils have performed poorly when compared to international standards. More analytical Educators' Report will be launched today for the benefit of schools to raise standards.
The conference is being held at Dubai Men's College in Academic City, and delegates will be given the outline plan for the next cycle of TIMSS in Dubai, in 2011, along with some lessons learned from the first cycle. Juan Manuel from the World Bank and Osama Obeidat, head of monitoring at the Jordan Education Initiative, will be the guest speakers.
Fatma Al Merri, CEO of Dubai Schools Agency, said: "The reason we took part in TIMSS was to gather evidence about how our schools are performing in maths and science.
"Our teachers gave us such good support during this assessment, and now we need to engage them again for the 2011 cycle. Tomorrow's conference is their opportunity to learn more about TIMSS and to look at our results, and it is our chance to listen to them and learn how we need to support them during this next big challenge," said Fatma.
TIMSS operates on a four-year cycle and measures achievements in maths and science in years 4 and 8 (10 year olds and 14 year olds). In Dubai, 96 primary schools and 88 secondary schools, around 3,000 year 4 pupils and slightly more than 3,200 year 8 students, took part.
Staff Report
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