Ratings system will be across four-level continuum – Outstanding, Good, Acceptable, and Weak – with Phase 1 ratings set to be announced at end of current academic year   

Abu Dhabi, May 05, 2023: Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) has announced that starting this year National Identity Mark rankings will be introduced for private schools in Abu Dhabi with Emirati students. 

A first of its kind initiative in the UAE, the annual school ratings system, is aimed at enhancing school transparency and empowering parents to select the ideal school environments for their children. 

The National Identity Mark aims to heighten Emirati students’ deep-rooted understanding of the UAE’s traditions. The evaluation framework will rank schools based on how they have used programmes to enhance a student’s ‘Culture’ includes history, heritage and Arabic language; ‘Values’ includes respect, compassion, and global understanding; and ‘Citizenship’ includes belonging, volunteering, and conservation.  

“By strengthening national identity through educational programs, schools can support students to further appreciate their roots, traditions, and values. The National Identity Mark will increase transparency and accountability, while enabling parents to make informed decisions about their children’s education. This directly supports the development of well-rounded individuals who are proud of their Emirati identity that are equipped to positively represent Abu Dhabi and the UAE on a global scale,” said Sara Musallam, Minister of State for Early Education, Chairman of the Federal Agency for Early Childhood, and ADEK Chairman. 

The National Identity Mark rankings will be evaluated separately from ADEK’s annual Irtiqa’a Inspection, which covers the performance standards of the Emirate’s private schools and provides recommendations for improved performance. With ratings for Phase 1 set to be announced at the end of the current academic year, schools will be ranked as ‘Outstanding’, ‘Good’, ‘Acceptable’, or ‘Weak’ based on the quality of their national identity programs.  

Implementation of the new ratings system will assess curricula and school culture to help ensure educational equity, transparency, and accountability across all Abu Dhabi private schools that have nationals enrolled, in addition to giving schools the opportunity to further enhance and develop their national identity programs.