Muscat: The Oman Academic Accreditation Authority (OAAA), in alignment with its mandate and capabilities, is set to inaugurate the National System for Evaluating School Performance within the Sultanate of Oman on the 2nd of December, 2024.
During a media briefing at the Authority's premises, Her Excellency Dr. Jokha bint Abdullah Al Shukaili, the Chief Executive Officer of the OAAA and the Quality Assurance of Education Department, elucidated that the commencement of this system is in harmony with the Authority's duties and competencies, which include the establishment of a national framework to ensure the quality of both primary and secondary education, as well as higher education in Oman, in a manner that maintains international benchmarks. Furthermore, it aims to motivate educational institutions to enhance their internal quality assurance mechanisms.
Dr. Al Shukaili further emphasized that the launch of this national system is part of a broader strategy designed to augment the efficiency of educational institutions, be they governmental or private, through precise evaluation processes and comprehensive reports that contribute to the enhancement of school performance, based on established standards and indicators.
She highlighted the Authority's commitment to developing standards and indicators that are in line with national objectives and visions, as well as the skills and competencies demanded by the labor market and the evolving educational landscape.
Dr. Al Shukaili also mentioned that the system underwent several phases of construction, experimentation, and review, during which the Authority relied on the analysis of relevant documents and studies, as well as an in-depth review of experiences from both regional and international contexts.
She pointed out that the system was subjected to local and international consultations, as well as the experiences of various schools with diverse contexts, to ensure its appropriateness and effectiveness in the Sultanate of Oman's educational environment.
Dr. Thuraya bint Saif Al Hosni, the Director General of the Center for Quality Assurance of School Education, elaborated that the introduction of this new system is poised to catalyze a qualitative improvement in the performance of schools within the Sultanate of Oman, thereby enabling them to continuously elevate their standards.
Al Hosni added that the evaluation process will encompass field visits by specialized auditors, complemented by the preparation of detailed reports that reflect the strengths and areas for improvement of each school, supported by robust evidence of their performance. This, in turn, will facilitate the development of effective strategic plans by schools and supervisory bodies aimed at enhancing the overall performance of each institution.
Al Hosni articulated that the objective of the school performance evaluation framework is to foster sustainable collaborations with the Ministry of Education and associated entities, thereby achieving integration and elevating the caliber of education within the Sultanate of Oman.
She emphasized the Authority's enthusiasm for engaging with specialized international and regional organizations to facilitate the exchange of knowledge and experiences, which are instrumental in enhancing educational outcomes and attaining sustainable excellence.
It should be highlighted that the National System for Evaluation of School Performance in the Sultanate of Oman represents a significant stride towards the realization of Oman Vision 2040, particularly in the realms of education, learning, scientific research, and the development of national capabilities. This system is in alignment with global advancements in educational standards and solidifies the Sultanate of Oman's reputation as a distinguished educational hub at both regional and international levels. Furthermore, the system plays a pivotal role in cultivating a dynamic and innovative educational milieu that propels the holistic development of students, in harmony with the expectations of parents and society to elevate the quality of education.
