Today's Edition
ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)
In a major move to boost transparency and community engagement, the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) has mandated all private schools in the emirate to install performance plaques at their entrances.
The plaques will clearly display each school’s most recent Irtiqā’a inspection rating and National Identity Mark, making key quality indicators instantly visible to parents and visitors, a statement from ADEK said on Monday.
According to ADEK, the plaques are not just a reporting tool, but a reflection of each school’s commitment to both academic excellence and national values.
“These plaques represent more than just a rating — they reflect a school’s commitment to academic excellence and to nurturing a strong sense of national identity in our students,” said Sulaiman Al Ameri, Acting Executive Director of the Private Education and Charter Schools Sector at ADEK.
“By making performance outcomes visible, we’re encouraging continuous improvement and giving parents a transparent, at-a-glance understanding of school quality.”
The Irtiqā’a rating system is an established inspection framework that assesses private school performance across six areas, including student achievement, personal and social development, teaching and assessment, curriculum quality, student care and wellbeing, and leadership effectiveness.
The National Identity Mark, on the other hand, is an annual rating that evaluates how well schools embed Emirati culture, values, and citizenship within their educational environment.
ADEK said the initiative aligns with its broader goal of building a world-class education ecosystem where families are empowered to make informed choices. In time, the plaques will also include the Wellbeing Mark, which will reflect schools’ efforts in supporting the emotional, social, and physical wellbeing of both students and staff.
Parents are encouraged to look for the plaques during school visits and can explore more about both frameworks through the ADEK website or its Rayah parent app, the statement said.
