Internal assessments – such as tests, projects, presentations and essays – are given extra importance in this academic year, explains school principals.
Schools in Dubai have been making amendments to their labs, incorporating new requirements for their connected boards and cutting sections related to outdoor activities and group work.
Internal assessments – such as tests, projects, presentations and essays – are given extra importance in this academic year, explains school principals.
Speaking to the Khaleej Times, Andreas Swoboda, principal of Uptown International School, said: “Our curriculum has been adapted to suit the style of teaching and the needs of our students because of the current need for negative public education.”
As a result of Covid-19’s impact on teaching and learning in many countries, the International Baccalaureate Organization (IB) has published amended guidelines for subsequent IBDP tests. Demand for many subjects has been reduced, said Swoboda.
Brendon Fulton, principal of Dubai British School Jumeirah Park, also noted a number of changes.
“Almost all GCSE and A-Level courses have had changes in the UK exam boards this year. For some, content has been reduced, while for others it has been modified to remove items such as a geography field trip. ”
Depending on the tests, some schools in Dubai are still writing tests on the site, but high school students have the opportunity to complete them at home.
“The UK government has recently made it clear that they do not expect to consider external tests conducted inside people’s homes. Although not yet fully published and released yet, the GCSE and A-Level examinations are likely to be held two weeks later, in June 2021, ”said Fulton.
Indian academic schools
In schools affiliated with Indian boards, small syllabus changes have been introduced to fit the learning curriculum setting.
Dr Brian Gray, principal of Springdales School Dubai, said: “The deadlines have not changed. Minor changes have been made to the syllabus, keeping in mind the online situation. For example, virtual computer titles are reduced … The syllabus is reduced to allow for in-depth study of content. ”
At Credence High School, students are re-assessed based on positions, assignments included, projects, peer review of jobs and performance in specific subjects, according to principal Deepika Thapar Singh.
The changes also apply to remote control tests. Students have the ability to type their answers or enter handwritten answers, ”said Thapar.