Sharjah: A quiet yet powerful shift is reshaping private education in Sharjah, thanks to the “Itqan” programme—a quality-focused initiative that’s transforming schools through consistent evaluation and targeted support.
More than just a numbers game, Itqan involves on-the-ground insights. Evaluation teams visited 86 schools spanning ten curricula, sitting in on lessons, talking to educators, reviewing policies, and observing school life. Over 90,000 voices were included through surveys: 40,838 parents, 44,810 students, and 5,698 teachers shared honest feedback that’s shaping change.
At its core, Itqan helps schools meet national benchmarks while supporting growth in teaching and management. This year, 43 “Good” schools, 37 “Acceptable” ones, and six new schools were assessed. The reviews, carried out between November 2024 and February 2025, brought notable outcomes: five schools improved to “Very Good,” 53 stayed “Good,” and 28 were labeled “Acceptable.” Importantly, no schools were rated “Weak” or “Very Weak”—a sign of real progress.
Comparing with 2018, the transformation is clear. Then, only seven schools were rated “Good” and just one “Very Good.” By 2025, those numbers rose to 79 and 14, while “Acceptable” schools dropped from 68 to 28.
“This programme isn’t just an assessment—it’s a roadmap to better education,” said Ali Al-Hosani, Director General of SPEA. He praised the inclusive nature of Itqan, where feedback from the entire school community drives improvement.
To support this progress, SPEA launched leadership training for over 1,000 educators, and professional development weeks attracted thousands of teachers. In 2022, 1,600 teachers joined 40 sessions; in 2023, that number grew to 2,044. By 2024, the focus shifted to fewer but deeper training sessions, totaling over 1,100 hours.
A school self-assessment initiative is also helping institutions take ownership of their development, encouraging a culture of reflection and continuous growth.
Looking ahead, the Itqan programme remains a powerful symbol of Sharjah’s dedication to educational quality and student success. “We are not just inspecting,” Al-Hosani concluded. “We are investing—in people, in schools, and in the future of Sharjah’s education.”