Now, educational institutions are using e-learning methods to teach their subjects. Many have their own websites and software or they may rely upon other websites like Unacademy, Needbook etc., Not just e-learning they need inspection of that teaching method too. School principals are hoping inspectors will be understanding when evaluating their e-learning programs, while parents say a no-holds-barred approach is needed to maintain the quality of their children’s education.
Here are the six outcomes parents and head teachers are hoping for once inspections are over.
1. Teacher efforts will be taken into account
Many teachers may be doing distance teaching for the first time and are working hard to customize learning to pupils’ different abilities. Hence institutions will consider the unusual circumstances faced.
Ramesh Mudgal, principal of Dubai’s Global Indian International School, quotes for Dubai School Inspection Bureau as: “DSIB is expected to be mindful of the fact that all schools and teachers are trying their best to cope with the unprecedented expectation of conducting the classes virtually.”
2. Leniency for more affordable schools
Many students come from low-income families, many of which are sponsored by charity groups. Few of them have devices at home, making it impossible for them to attend online classes.
Sameena Shaheen, principal of the Pakistan Higher Secondary School in Ras Al Khaimah says: “Most Pakistani community schools have pupils from low-income families and they don’t have enough devices at home. Families of four children or more share only one device, so not all of them can come online”
3. Schools will improve further
The inspections will provide valuable feedback now that pupils and teachers have settled with the distance learning program. Evaluations could help reassure parents about the quality of education their children are receiving.
With respect to this Nav Iqbal, principal of Gems Metropole School in Motor City states, “The Distance Learning Evaluation will … help us move forward with areas of opportunity … which will strengthen our virtual school.” viz., Brendon Fulton, executive principal at Dubai British Schools said, “This should give parents some peace of mind that their children’s needs and interests are being put first, even if they are not physically in our classrooms.”
4. Pupils will be given more schoolwork
Parents have said their children are not given enough work throughout the day, claiming schools are assigning pupils extra homework to compensate. Parents hope that inspections will reveal that pupils need “double the amount of work” that is currently offered.
Simon Bach, from New Zealand, parent of 2 daughters, who attend Kings Dubai, said inspectors “They basically just get homework dumped on Google Classroom and they finish their whole day of school in less than two hours. They aren’t getting enough work … it’s not very interactive either. They [only] get a Zoom call where they have a friendly conservation in the morning.”
5. New, tailored e-learning platforms will be developed
Many parents are not satisfied with the use of Zoom and Google Classrooms, as they are not specially-designed online education modules. As it wasn’t enough just to send worksheets to pupils that had to be filled in and emailed back. So new platforms should be used. Needbook can help students in many ways.
6. School fees will be reduced
Parents are hoping inspectors will ask schools to justify their fees, as they are unhappy with the e-learning program offered to her son and said she was not given a discount on fees. Parents opinion is that teachers are focusing mostly on arts and crafts and main subjects, such as English and Maths, are not getting enough attention.
Source: The National