School Report Cards

I believe it is a healthy bractice for any school and education sysem at all. I find it in many countries. I asume this will face a huge reaction at the begining of its announcement but at the end it will have a great effect on all, when the compettition start and enthusiaste for a better action to develop themselves and not be satisfied with the status quo.
30 January 2006, 00:00

I can not wait to find out what is different school evaluation? especially those schools we know its levels and achievement. what about individual achievement if we measure school as a whole. do not we get tired from generalisation?
30 January 2006, 00:00

I don't understand how you already know the achievement levels of each school or individuals for that matter. I don't! I think that these school report cards are a good thing so we as parents can tell exactly what the teachers and operators are doing to improve schooling. Most especially, whether our kids are adjusting to the new way of studying. I notice from other countries, school report cards have helped improve school learning and students have become hard working and competitive, maybe that is what we would like to see among our own kids here.
1 February 2006, 06:30

Thanks Toto for your comments, what i mean by knowing levels of schools is being our of their success and history. sure nothing accurate, but the good point we can highlight is to know the difference on the schools after one Year not, so i believe this cards will only give us pointers to be measured annually.
1 February 2006, 06:45

but do you really think this evaluation cards will give us a clear overview of their work. i really can not concieved now as it is not published yet. but from what i saw in the UK education system and other countries that have also school reports, I find it a great achievement but need lots of Hard work.
1 February 2006, 06:45

I have knowledge that grades are manipulated in school results to appease parents of students, and to self comfort that student is performing well. Indipendent Schools is an innitiative that has capacity of enormous proportions. I would request SEC to ask schools to adopt and adhere to a uniform grading pattern in school results. These minor hankies can escalate to zero sum game.
2 March 2006, 09:00

Having worked in an Independent school in Qatar, I would have to agree with s Enwar's comments. School will manipulate results and I have seen this happening. The reason for this is schools, teachers, staff and students are all put under so much pressure to attain unrealistic results that they feel they have no other choice. Having worked in the system I would advise all to understand that a school should be judged by the progression it makes every year, a school that continues to improve students’ levels in all subjects is a school that’s succeeding. Comparing one school to another is not a fair comparison. Depending on gender, location (i.e. type of student that is enrolled), nationality of students, age, wealth, previous type of education received by each new student, there are many different factors that make a good school. The school that receives the best grades in National Testing is not necessarily the school that’s making the greatest accomplishment. The people of Qatar, Supreme Education Council and Operators of Independent Schools need to realise that any reform, especially an educational reform can take up to 10 years or more to be truly successful. A school needs time to become consistent in its everyday running. Policies need to be adjusted to fit the mission of a school. A consistent staff and leadership is the key to a school moving forwards. I urge all; don't put teachers under pressure to increase standards by unrealistic numbers, in the end it’s the students who will loose out. I saw all kinds of staff leave a school because of lack of effective leadership, constant changes made to school policies, school daily activities, teaching staff, administrative staff and most importantly a lack of communication was critical to the failures of the school. These staff were the ones who cared the most and worked the hardest, and these were the ones who educated and motivated all children to a high standard, but because of a lack of appreciation for ones ideas and talents, the school lost their most valuable assets without even realising it. If a school believes that you have the qualities, skills, experience and personality they want and need, then they must also believe that you have the ideas and experience to back this up. I say this because, from my experience, the people who made the important decisions within the school were not necessarily the most qualified to do so. Yes, we all believe our ideas are the right ones, but we must be open to the possibility that someone has a better one. In countries where education is successful, you will find that the leadership of schools will be very in tune to the needs of the students and staff alike, and will have worked as an everyday teacher for a long period of time. Remember we must learn to crawl before we walk, and if you have never experienced the reality of walking on all fours, the how can you truly appreciate what it is like to do so, and what it involves.

I apologise if I seem quite negative in this respect, but I am very passionate about education and take my job as a teacher very seriously, but I was disappointed with my experience in this new educational organisation. This pressure that all staff, operators and anyone involved in this system is feeling, will not abate unless steps are taken in order for this to happen. I do applaud the Qatari people on their willingness to improve on their own educational system and do sincerely believe that they will do so. But, please remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day, patience is the key.

As an afterthought, I would like to say that the student body was brilliant and I worked with a lovely group of young girls who did their best all the time, even if like me, they didn’t know what was expected of them half the time. Consistency is an important factor in educating young students and even though that wasn’t present, they did a commendable job with their work and development. It was sad for me to leave these girls and truly hope that they are happy with their schooling and are receiving what they truly deserve. Good luck, ladies, I do still think of you.
2 April 2006, 12:00

I can not wait to find out what is different school evaluation? especially those schools we know its levels and achievement. what about individual achievement if we measure school as a whole. do not we get tired from generalisation?
4 July 2007, 07:00

Before launching this massive reform,people must change. The way they view the education system and its benefits must change as well. When students have the guts to bribe teachers and feel totally OK with that, there is a serious problem. If teachers accept the bribe, then the problem is even worse. The evaluation system implemented is great, but it is dependable on how people perceive it and deal with it. I have a feeling that people do not quite understand why it is there in the first place.
17 July 2007, 12:30

Yes I agree with you Dallal. People in our societies must change and we must begin appreciating what we have and taking advantage of it before we lose it. The SEC led by HH Sheikha Moza are doing a wonderful job. I am proud to be from Qatar. I think more campaigns should be launched to attempt to change the way people think about education. Parents, must begin playing a vital role as well. One hand does not clap alone as we say. They must become more stict and more attentive to their children, more comprehensive as well. The God almighty has provided us with a wonderful resources that we are neglecting and not using to the fullest. This is a wonderful country, God bless us all.
17 July 2007, 12:30