KHDA launches new wellbeing framework for Dubai private schools

If your child’s school in the UAE doesn’t already take happiness seriously, they will have to now. On December 7th, 2022, the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) announced its latest wellbeing framework, which will focus on student and teacher happiness. From children to staff, the KHDA will focus more on wellbeing in schools when it comes to inspecting and assessing schools moving forward. This Pacific Prime Dubai article discusses the new wellbeing framework.

A closer look at the KHDA’s student wellbeing framework

What is the purpose of KHDA, you may be wondering? Essentially, they are responsible for the quality and growth of Dubai’s private education. They ensure that Dubai’s private educational institutes are founded and operated according to Dubai legislation and the highest standards.

With the latest wellbeing framework, KHDA will rate schools using a 4-point scale ranging from ‘low’ to ‘very high’. If student and staff wellbeing are successfully taken care of, then the school will receive a ‘very high’ rating. The wellbeing framework will evaluate schools on certain focus areas, such as:

• How schools are taking initiative when it comes to wellbeing
• How well they’re listening to their students and staff members’ needs
• How well they’re creating policies and processes that enhance student wellbeing

The wellbeing framework will set standards

According to international wellbeing research and policies, as well as schools’ current wellbeing data, the wellbeing framework will set standards and allow wellbeing provision to improve down the line. International research suggests that wellbeing enables:

• Better educational outcomes
• More positive school experiences for students
• Higher levels of self-esteem
• Increased motivation

Fatma Belrehif, CEO of Dubai Schools Inspection Bureau, said:

“Building on the legacy and the data provided by the five-year Dubai Student Wellbeing Census, many schools have already incorporated the values of wellbeing into their culture and practices.”

“This framework represents the next stage of our wellbeing journey, enabling us to work more closely with schools, teachers, and parents to ensure better learning outcomes and happier, healthier futures for our children. We appreciate the insights of all the school leaders who worked with us to develop the framework.”

The KHDA’s 5 guiding wellbeing principles and evaluation

The KHDA states that school leaders need to be mindful of 5 guiding principles as they continue to improve their wellbeing provision quality and outcomes within their school communities. According to SchoolsCompared, the 5 guiding principles include:

1. Student and family-focused
2. Strengths-based
3. Equitable
4. Diverse
5. Collectivist

Additionally, the KHDA will evaluate wellbeing by focusing on areas that take a well-rounded approach to wellbeing development. The KHDA will offer direction for the school’s wellbeing journey, as well as offer the focus for monitoring and evaluation. They will be informed through international research, theoretical models, student wellbeing data, and wellbeing frameworks around the world. What’s more, school assessments will be based on how they meet the following goals:

• Leading and pursuing wellbeing
• Listening to and supporting stakeholders
• Enabling wellbeing experiences and outcomes

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Jantra Jacobs

Senior Copywriter at Pacific Prime Dubai

Jantra Jacobs is a Senior Copywriter at Pacific Prime with over 10 years of writing and editing experience. She writes and edits a diverse variety of online and offline copy, including sales and marketing materials ranging from articles and advertising copy to reports, guides, RFPs, and more.

Jantra curates and reports on the results of Pacific Prime’s monthly newsletters, as well as manages Pacific Prime’s Deputy Global CEO’s LinkedIn posts. Complemented by her background in business writing, Jantra’s passion for health, insurance, and employee benefits helps her create engaging content - no matter how complex the subject is.

Growing up as a third-culture kid has given her a multicultural perspective that helps her relate to expats and their families while 8 years of working remotely have given her unique insight into hybrid work arrangements and enthusiasm for employee benefits.

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