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How Abu Dhabi innovated schooling to create a future-proof generation

Background

In 2022, the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK), created an innovative approach to equip school students with future-ready skills. They did this by creating a competency-based approach, where practical skills were front and centre. 

The teaching, learning and assessment of the core concepts and competencies within the Graduate Competency Framework (GCF) required a holistic approach to support students to develop, practice, apply and evidence mastery of their skills.

The concept of the project was to enable students to learn and be assessed across different contexts, and with increasing levels of challenge. The materials and strategies developed provided students with the opportunities to engage with the GCF across the range of school subjects and co-curricular activities. This approach encouraged their interest and active participation in school, in the community, and in society more generally.

Our team of experts worked with ADEK to produce the new Graduate Competency Framework (GCF), a practical structure to help them deliver their vision by equipping learners with the skills, knowledge, abilities, and attributes that they require.

The framework equips learners with the following competencies:

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Entrepreneurship

Teamwork

Critical thinking

Cognitive agility

Global citizenship

Digital fluency

Financial literacy

Successful outcomes include:

  • Student engagement and performance soared. The holistic and integrated approach to competency-based education fostered a vibrant and dynamic learning environment, encouraging continuous improvement for students and educators.
  • Educators were provided with the tools they needed to navigate the new educational terrain with confidence, thanks to comprehensive work schemes and lesson resources developed by the AQA Global team.
  • Schools were well-prepared to implement the competency-based education system after the comprehensive professional development sessions.
  • A clear picture of student progress was established once accurate and reliable assessment tools were in place. These helped to ensure that every student had the support they needed to succeed.

This carefully crafted journey not only overcame the initial challenges but also transformed the educational landscape, paving the way for a future where competency-based education thrives.

The challenge

Part of the implementation of the Graduate Competency Framework (GCF), focused on developing an effective support infrastructure, to:

  • Develop resources to support a whole-school approach supporting a shift in teaching, learning and assessment approaches and ethos across the school system.
  • Develop teacher capacity and expertise with a program of professional development, recognising the range of contexts and diversity within the education system (this was one of the most critical parts to the programme’s success). 
  • Assess and evaluate how outcomes are being met to support accountability, and identify progress toward impact metrics through assessment of children’s learning and progress.
  • Evaluation (including self-evaluation by teachers) of programme impact.

Embarking on the ambitious journey to implement a competency-based education system for all grades (1-12) had its own set of challenges:

  • Crafting detailed work schemes and lesson plans. This required detailed planning to ensure that each of the seven competencies were covered in work schemes and lesson plans.
  • Creating robust assessment resources that could reliably evaluate each competency at every grade level was a challenge. These tools were crucial for measuring student progress and providing valuable feedback.
  • Equipping teachers and school leaders with the skills and knowledge necessary to implement the seven key competencies required a comprehensive professional development strategy. This involved not only intensive training sessions but also ongoing support to help educators navigate this new educational landscape.

The solution

With a clear vision, the team set out to tackle these challenges. Their strategy was both innovative and systematic:

  • Implementation Plan: A detailed roadmap was developed to guide educators through the process of integrating competencies into the curriculum, complete with timelines, roles, and resource allocation.
  • Assessment Strategy: Alongside the implementation plan, a comprehensive assessment strategy was unveiled on the same day. This strategy provided a framework for evaluating student progress, with a variety of tools designed to offer meaningful insights and feedback.
  • Professional Development: Training sessions were crafted to empower teachers and school leaders, equipping them with the expertise to bring the competency-based education system to life in their classrooms.
  • Teacher guidance: Developing work schemes and lesson plan outlines for all grades (1-12) for the seven competencies. These schemes offered clear and structured guidance for educators.
  • Teaching materials: Lesson resources were created for approximately five content blocks (1 hour each) for each cycle for each competency. These materials were designed to be seamlessly integrated into other curriculum areas, ensuring a holistic approach to learning.
  • Assessment: Comprehensive testing resources were designed to evaluate each competency at every grade level. These tools were essential for tracking student progress and ensuring the attainment of each competency.

Ultimately, the Graduate Competency Framework (GCF) positions Abu Dhabi’s students to thrive as adaptable, responsible, and innovative global citizens, ready to navigate the complexities of higher education, the workforce, and society at large in a rapidly changing world. The framework reflects Abu Dhabi’s commitment to nurturing well-rounded individuals who are prepared to lead, innovate, and contribute meaningfully to their communities and the world.

Our partnership on this work has fostered a shared commitment to empowering the next generation of learners. We are proud to have played a role in a more resilient future for all students in the Emirates.

Shaun Smith: Our skills expert

Shaun Smith has worked in Vocational Assessment for 30 years. In his role as Deputy Director of Qualifications he has led projects to improve the alignment of vocational training with the demands of labour markets and emerging needs for multiple organisations around the world.

Contact us to arrange an online consultation with Shaun to discuss your upskilling goals.

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