Ajyal Schools to prepare Emiratis for the world’s leading universities, future careers 

New curriculum will emphasize competencies needed to succeed in the world of business and finance, with an emphasis on innovation and tech, said Taaleem CEO

Emirates Schools Establishment’s Ajyal Schools are positive step in improving the education of young Emiratis, opening up opportunities for them and preparing for their future careers, said Alan Williamson, CEO Taaleem.

Approved by the UAE Cabinet on Monday to develop Cycle 1 of the government education sector, this new model will be managed by private school groups Taaleem, Bloom Education and Aldar Education under the supervision of the establishment.

“The new Ajyal Schools, or Generation Schools are firmly aimed at preparing young Emiratis for university and their future careers,” said Williamson.

“This innovative and forward-looking new PPP launched by the government aims on improving education and opportunities for Emiratis right across the UAE,” he added.

The new curriculum will emphasize skills and capacities needed to succeed in the world of business and finance with an emphasis on innovation and tech, outlined Williamson.

“We are changing the curriculum and moving to the American curriculum, following New York standards. There will be a renewed emphasis on innovation, science and technology and this is something Taaleem will strengthen in the schools. Arabic and the Arabic subjects remain vitally important to us as well as placing great emphasis on improving skills in the core subjects; English, language, arts, mathematics, and science,” he explained.

“There will be a whole-school emphasis on English language development, as previously and predominantly pupils have been taught mainly in Arabic. Our teachers will be well equipped to support students with this change.

“It is essential that future graduates are equipped with the ability to express themselves confidently and competently in the language of business and finance. This competency will also open up the gateway and a pathway to enter the world’s leading universities,” continued Williamson.

The model will be applied to all students from Grades I to IV, in ten different schools, under the supervision of the Emirates Schools Establishment, a statement on UAE’s news agency WAM.

The establishment will apply this model to 28 different schools, within three years and will be providing additional classes to follow the current students.

“The quality of a school never exceeds the quality of its teachers and recruitment for experienced, talented and dedicated new teachers is already under way,” said Williamson.

“The hiring process of recruiting new teachers as new homeroom teachers and new specialist teachers has already sparked great interest from many in the education community who seem eager to further their careers and widen their professional experience,” he continued.

The Ministry of Education will continue providing and supervising the Arabic language, Islamic education, moral education and social studies curricula for the third and fourth grades without any change.

“We firmly believe that this new model will deliver on all fronts as well as being economically efficient for the benefit all in the UAE community,” said Williamson.