Dubai: Starting from September, students in Dubai who prefer to study at two, three or even four different schools will able to do so, under a pilot phase of the ‘Rahhal’ project.
Through Rahhal, students who wish to study part-time at mainstream schools and part-time elsewhere in the community will be able to do so.
Older children who wish to learn “on the job” — whether one job or six jobs — will have that option available to them. Parents who prefer to educate their children at home, or within their own community, will be free to do so. Adults who wish to continue learning can design their own programmes, according to their needs and schedules.
The Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) in Dubai has launched ‘Rahhal’ project as its contribution towards the Dubai 10X Initiative, a venture overseen by the Dubai Future Foundation (DFF).
The programme will be piloted by September, in time for the start of the new school year. In May 2019, the pilot phase will be reviewed. Recommendations will then be made for a roll-out for all Dubai residents.
Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, who is the chairman of DFF’s board of trustees, had launched the plan, among a bundle of proposals for Dubai 10X at the World Government Summit in Dubai in February.
The Dubai 10X initiative seeks to place Dubai government entities 10 years ahead of the rest of the world in all sectors, by implementing today what other cities around the world will be implementing 10 years from now.
Dr Abdullah Al Karam, KHDA’s director-general, said: “Our partners include parents of neuro-typical students, gifted and talented students and ‘students of determination’, parents who homeschool their children, education consultants, policy think tanks, private-sector organisations and other employers, universities, local government bodies, school principals and teachers, qualification and certification organisations and, of course, students.”
Khalfan Bel Houl, DFF’s CEO, said: “The development of the education sector is a key factor in stimulating and preparing individuals to keep pace with the rapid changes taking place around the world, as well as with the one-of-a-kind innovations that Dubai offers the world through the Dubai 10X Initiative.”
What is it?
Learning: Rahhal provides an alternative approach to education through a framework that can be customised to the needs of each specific learner.
Part-time schooling: Through Rahhal, students who wish to study part-time at mainstream school and part-time elsewhere in the community will be able to do so; those who prefer to study at two, three or even four different schools will also be able to do that.
Home schooling: Parents who prefer to educate their children at home, or within their own community, will be free to do so.
