Systems analysis of the UAE education system

Abstract

PurposeThis purpose of this paper is to examine the organization of the UAE educational system, its components, their goals, and finally their effectiveness.Design/methodology/approachThree elements of the UAE education system were examined: the development; delivery; and evaluation and feedback.FindingsOn analysis, it was found that there is poor alignment among what the system was developed for, how it was delivered, and what was evaluated. In order to align this system significant efforts are needed to ensure that extensive documentation in terms of teachers' guides, training sessions for teachers and supervisors, and relevant evaluation instruments must be designed with systems thinking as the guide.Research limitations/implicationsAn orientation to goals rather than textbooks, to systems thinking, and to the vision developed for the system (and perhaps some form of strategic feedback to the respective committees established in the structural framework delineated by the ministry) might be worth consideration to erase the misalignment indicated by this research.Originality/valueThis paper will be of interest to those involved in education and in particular, those involved in the education system within the UAE.