UAE to replace exams with skills-based evaluations for some students.

Exams will be replaced with skills-based evaluations for some students studying in the UAE’s public schools, authorities announced on Tuesday.

Instead of written exams, the skills of public school students in grades 5 to 8 will be measured in project-based assessments for the second term this school year.

This move was announced by Sarah Al Amiri, Minister of State for Public Education and Advanced Technology.

This evaluation, she said, “focuses on students’ skills and helps them put theoretical knowledge into practice, further enriching their learning outcomes”.

She explained that the change in evaluation methods is a gradual cultural shift rather than a radical one.

“The final exam does not accurately reflect a student’s comprehensive understanding of the curriculum. Any change in the educational process must be carefully measured to ensure it targets student needs and supports their educational journey,” Al Amiri said.

It has not yet been disclosed how student projects will be evaluated or how they will be applied.

Aside from introducing partial changes to student assessments, the ministry also brought down the passing rate from 70 to 60 per cent, Al Amiri said.

The ministry also announced the opening of 25 schools, including 12 new schools and 13 which are reopening after comprehensive maintenance. More than 5,000 new buses have also been introduced ahead of the academic year.

Educational institutions are actively preparing for students’ return by distributing welcome-back kits and setting up new parent orientation websites. To ease the first day’s traffic congestion, many schools are coordinating staggered start times with nearby institutions.

Many parents are now shopping for new supplies or opting for second-hand items to manage their expenses. Some UAE parents are even spending up to Dh2,000 per child on back-to-school essentials.

According to UAE officials, approximately 20,000 students transitioned from private to public schools in 2023. Officials said that more than 280,000 students will be returning to government schools on August 26, this year.