Since the start of 2021, schools in Dubai have had the opportunity to sign up for a series of free online training sessions, Training for Dubai School Governors, organised and run by RSAcademics.
Developed with the Knowledge & Human Development Authority (KHDA) as RSAcademics’ knowledge partner, these popular training sessions were created to enhance governance practices in Dubai schools. Based on established and long-standing governance advisory work by RSAcademics in the UK and internationally, the Dubai sessions were tailored to the local private schools market, with guidance and input from a Dubai-based steering committee, and based on the ‘The Gift of Good Governance’ published by the KHDA in 2018.
Fatma Belrehif, Chief Executive Officer of Knowledge and Human Development Authority said: “If we want to see what high-quality school education looks like, we must first look towards leadership and governance. When school governance is strong, it’s not only students who benefit, but the whole community. We’re grateful to all the school governors who participated in this programme and thank them for their commitment to their schools and to high-quality education in Dubai. It was a pleasure to work with our friends at RSAcademics to bring this programme to Dubai.”
These popular training sessions were developed to enhance governance practices in Dubai schools
The aim of the one-year training programme was to support and promote collaboration between Governors across Dubai schools and aid in the sharing of best practice, with the ultimate goal of helping Governors be more effective in their role, improve educational outcomes for children and promote the UAE National Agenda in their schools.
Raida Al Lamki, Governor of GEMS First Point School, said: “Schools need to have a robust governance model and a clear road map for Governors to be implemented with great rigour. RSAcademics went beyond the obvious to uncover significant facts that would help us Governors refine our strategies in the quest to create a knowledge-based economy as per his highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid’s Vision”.
The series comprised a total of six sessions spread across nine months. More than 350 delegates participated, from parents to Governors and other school leaders, helping to make the series a meaningful success.
The series comprised a total of six sessions spread across nine months
Alan Williamson, Chief Executive Officer of Taaleem, said: “If governance works at its highest level, it has the opportunity to transform the culture of a school. Great governance is guided by all stakeholders; these include staff, parents and the students. Governors assume three very important roles: responsibility, accountability and involvement, and many bring with them experience of a world outside of education where best practice is a norm. They are a crucial link between the owners and operators of a school and ensure that the agreed aspirations of all stakeholders are clearly communicated, precisely planned, and expertly educated. Training for the governorship of a school is an essential element for peak performance, and we are grateful to RSAcademics for their ongoing guidance to our Boards.”
More than 350 delegates participated, from parents to Governors and other school leaders
RSAcademics’ CEO and Founder Russell Speirs, who has led on the development of the company’s governance and leadership work in Dubai and the Middle East, said: “We provide coaching, training and advisory support for governing bodies and school leaders around the world to help their schools thrive, and we are honoured to be working with the KHDA and schools in Dubai and the wider Middle East region. Excellent governance is a key element of any successful, happy school. And while there is no one-size-fits-all approach, our training sessions provide a very useful road map for Governors and senior leaders to follow in order to help them and their schools thrive.”
In addition, based on the success of this training programme, RSAcademics has partnered with British Schools in the Middle East (BSME) to run a new series of governance training for Governors at BSME schools across the region, starting with a free introductory session on November 17th.