Abu Dhabi: In a bid to improve the strategic and overall operation of private schools in the emirate of Abu Dhabi, institutions were today (November 23) urged to set up effective school boards.

The announcement was made by Abu Dhabi emirate’s education sector regulator, the Abu Dhabi Education Council (Adec), following a survey conducted earlier this year.

The questionnaire, which garnered about 138 responses from a total of 185 private schools in the emirate, found that only 60 per cent of respondents currently have some form of a board of trustees, and only 20 per cent of school boards have been in existence over five years. Moreover, only 35 per cent of these school boards have at least one teacher and one parent representative.

Senior Adec officials accordingly announced that all schools must have boards by the 2015-2016 academic year, and that these should be composed of passionate, qualified members, including elected parents and teachers.

“The boards will then be charged with directing the legal, strategic, financial and administrative responsibilities of the institution. From October 2015 onwards, school principals and board chairs will also be trained on how to work with and make schools boards effective,” Dr Mariam Al Ali, manager of policies at the Adec, told Gulf News.

She was speaking on the sidelines of the first Adec Private School Governance Forum, which saw the attendance of school owners, operators, investors and principals from across the emirate.

Pupil safety

Attendees at the forum were also reminded about the great responsibility of ensuring pupil safety, especially in the areas of school premises and transportation.

Hamad Al Daheri, executive director of private schools and quality assurance at the Adec, warned that strict measures would be taken against institutions that had not yet installed closed-circuit television cameras in school premises, as well as against schools that had not revamped their school transportation systems.

“Safety and security of pupils cannot be neglected, and schools must quickly adhere to any recommendations made by Adec inspectors. Installing cameras was mandated last year, and the transport regulations have been in place for more than a year,” he said.

Safety has been a key area of concern this academic year, following the tragic death of a kindergarten pupil who had been mistakenly left locked in her school bus in October 2014.

Al Daheri also urged schools to respond to Adec communications, notices and requests for data provision. He added that only 50 per cent of private institutions had furnished data requested recently by the Adec about transportation contractors used by schools, and the number of buses they provide.

“This is an era of communication, and schools that do not respond to notices, circulars and data requests from the Adec will be dealt with seriously,” he warned.

School boards

According to the governance guidelines discussed at the session, every school board must be composed of five to nine members who are elected or re-elected for three-year terms.

“These members must be selected in a transparent manner, and they must not receive financial remuneration for their role in overseeing the institution. After all, being part of a school board is an honourable role, and integral in enabling the development of the community,” explained Dr Mariam. Parents can elect other parents to be part of the board, while teachers may nominate other teachers. Community members and business owners can also participate. The principal cannot be a part of the board, but will be tasked with supplying relevant information to members.

“The daily operations of the institution will be left to the principal, whereas the board will decide on strategic goals, selection of school leaders, financial management, and cultural values, among others,” Dr Mariam explained.