KHDA lauded for its efforts

Dubai, March 21, 2022: A new report by Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has said that KHDA and Dubai’s private schools have pursued a number of initiatives to increase levels of happiness and wellbeing across the sector. 

The report was released to educators in Dubai during a special session hosted as part of KHDA’s Wellbeing Festival.

The report reads, “Inspired by KHDA’s efforts, private schools are increasingly providing teachers with tools and information to encourage them to adhere to healthy habits that support their physical and mental well-being, and to help them cope with the challenges that arise from work.”. 

According to the OECD review of wellbeing policies and practices, “In recent years, KHDA and Dubai’s private schools have pursued a number of initiatives to increase levels of happiness and wellbeing across the sector. Such efforts have helped raise awareness of the importance of wellbeing across the sector. More importantly, they have encouraged school leaders, teachers, parents, and students to better understand the concept of wellbeing, not only in the form of daily habits but also as a long-term commitment for themselves and the system as a whole.”

Andreas Schleicher, Director for Education and Skills at the OECD, says, “The COVID-19 pandemic has shown that it is insufficient to assume that student well-being and strong social and emotional skills come as an automatic result of a good academic education. They need to be part of an intentional design of learning environments and the organisation of schools.”

The new report provides an overview of Dubai’s wellbeing journey and offers considerations on how to strengthen policies and practices.

Dr. Abdulla Al Karam, director general of the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), says, “There’s been so much progress in recent years when it comes to wellbeing research and wellbeing data, and we’re very happy that our private school sector is now part of that. We’ve learned a lot in this journey towards better well-being, and now is the time to look towards the future.”

The new report calls on schools to further collaborate, learn and engage in finding solutions that support the wellbeing of students and staff.