Autonomy crux of education reforms Wednesday, 08 December 2010 01:43

BY RAYNALD C RIVERA

DOHA: Education reform in the Qatari context is essentially based on autonomy and accountability, according to Education Institute Director Sabah Al Haidoos.

Al Haidoos was presenting the basic aspects of the system of education in Qatar during a breakout session on ‘Learning from Reforms of National Education Systems’ yesterday at

WISE 2010.

“Education is not just the responsibility of the State but the society as well,” she said as she underlined decentralisation as a trend in educational systems.

Responding to a query on the role of good leadership in improving education, she said political will is important especially toward educational sustainability.

Research and harnessing human capital are some of the major focus of education in Qatar that she mentioned.

Al Haidoos also emphasised the significance of assessment at both national and international scales as significant factor in raising the bar of the educational system in the country. “Evaluation goes beyond accountability. Assessement at the national scale goes beyond assessing students, teachers, schools and the curriculum. Through evaluation, we know where are heading, whether we have improved and the steps to be taken to advance the system,” she explained, adding at the international level, evaluation will reveal where Qatar stands compared to other countries.

Dr Kiyong Byun, Associate Professor, College of Education and Vice Director, Higher Education Policy Research Institute in Korea University discussed the growing role of English in Korea’s higher

education.

Dr Byun presented a study on the effectiveness of using English as a Medium of Instruction (EMI) in Korean higher

education. “Attracting more international students and professors and boosting the competitiveness of graduates in the international labour market are some of the reasons for adapting the EMI policy,” he explained.

He said results revealed a dramatic improvement in the proficiency of students, increase in the number of foreign students and professors and the degree of satisfaction among the learners.

However, though EMI may have improved the competence of the students in using the English language, it might however hinder the acquisition of subject matter as students said they understand the subject better if it is imparted in their native tongue, according the Dr Byun. “But the advantages outweight the disadvantages. EMI enhances not only the students’ competitiveness in the labour market but also the educational system itself,” he said.

The Peninsula