Explore KHDA's Groundbreaking 'Excel Anywhere' Initiative Set To Uplift Education For Emirati Students

The Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) has embarked on an ambitious initiative, Excel Anywhere, to enhance the educational landscape for Emirati students in Dubai. This initiative, rooted in the Education 33 (E33) strategy unveiled by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council, seeks to redefine educational experiences through innovation and excellence.

Excel Anywhere's objective is to elevate education for Emirati students by providing customized support and data-driven interventions. The initiative's first phase zeroes in on improving schools with a significant number of Emirati students, aiming to lift their standards.

Excel Anywhere is one of 28 Game Changer initiatives under the E33 strategy. The Game Changers will redefine educational experiences and outcomes, fostering innovation and excellence across all levels of education.

Excel Anywhere is designed to raise the quality of education for Emirati students across the emirate through tailored support and data driven interventions to ensure they have the support needed to excel.

In line with this goal, the first phase of Excel Anywhere is a targeted school improvement programme focused on raising the standards of schools that have a large number of Emirati students enrolled.

Her Excellency Aisha Miran, Director General of KHDA, emphasized, "Empowering Emiratis with high quality education, enhancing their educational achievements, and embedding Emirati values to strengthen cultural identity and prepare Emirati youth to drive the nation's future is one of the key goals of the Education 33 strategy." She further highlighted the initiative's role in building an inclusive education sector that nurtures the next generation of Emirati leaders.

Seven schools have joined the first phase of the school improvement programme, including notable institutions like Dubai Schools Al Barsha and Emirates National Schools Dubai. These schools collectively house 6,500 Emirati students.

The programme aims to elevate these schools to a Good or better rating, thereby closing the academic performance gap between Emirati and non-Emirati students. A dedicated team from KHDA will provide targeted support, working alongside school leaders to implement and track improvement plans.

Schools in the programme will receive targeted support from a dedicated team at KHDA, which will work with school leaders to implement customised improvement plans and track progress. Each school will be assigned an improvement partner and specialised support teams who will work on focus areas such as student achievement, school leadership and governance, parent engagement, literacy, and teaching standards.

The E33 strategy, with Excel Anywhere at its forefront, marks a significant shift towards a learner-centric education system in Dubai. This approach is designed to cater to individual needs and aspirations, ensuring that Emirati students are equipped with essential skills and opportunities for success throughout their lives.

Twenty-eight Game Changer initiatives will be rolled out in several phases over the next decade to support the E33 goals, redefine educational experiences and outcomes, and foster innovation and excellence across all levels of education.