In a milestone initiative towards education inclusivity, public schools in the UAE have started implementing examination policies exclusively for Students of Determination. The revised guidelines address 11 identified categories of disabilities, thus providing students with different needs with equal and just opportunities during third-term examinations.
These groups encompass students who have physical disability, learning difficulty, autism spectrum disorder, emotional and behavioral disorders, hearing impairment and visual impairment, intellectual disability, chronic sickness, and more. The Ministry of Education states that accommodations vary from prolonged test times and scribes to adapted question types and quiet testing conditions, all customized to the individual learning profile of the student.
The move demonstrates the UAE’s overall dedication to accessible education and is consistent with national policies aimed at empowering all students. Schools have also been directed to work together with families and special education professionals to guarantee accommodations are implemented appropriately and consistently across the curriculum. Educational psychologists and trained facilitators are now taking an active role in test preparation and administration.
The initiative has been embraced by parents and advocacy organizations as a major milestone toward closing the achievement gap. “For the first time, my child is confident entering an exam,” said a parent of a student with dyslexia. As these inclusive practices begin to take hold, the UAE remains a model in the region for balanced, student-focused education reform.
