How parent communication with schools can reduce exam stress

UAE institutions are placing greater emphasis on guiding parents to play a balanced, informed role in their children's academic journey

- Nandini Sircar

Parental involvement is crucial in students’ academic success, say experts.

As exam season nears, marking the start of intensive preparations for the December end-of-semester exams at several schools, institutions across the UAE are placing greater emphasis on guiding parents to play a balanced, informed role in their children's academic journey.

This renewed focus on family-school collaboration also comes amid wider updates to assessment systems. The Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) recently clarified that schools must bear all costs for mandatory external assessments, preventing them from charging parents additional testing fees a move seen as part of efforts to standardise and strengthen the assessment process.

While some schools with lower fee structures and larger student populations have expressed concern over the issue, education leaders and experts across the country are encouraging parents to shift their attention from exam pressure to active participation and constructive support during the exam period.

Abhilasha Singh, principal of Shining Star International School, Abu Dhabi, said: "Data analysis helps us identify gaps in the curriculum and spot students who may be 'at risk'. We conduct both internal and individual assessments, as these directly impact our standardised benchmark results. Such students receive personalised attention through individualised learning plans and remedial sessions. We also engage parents, helping them understand the importance of International Benchmark Tests (IBTs) and School-Based Assessments (SBAs).

The principal pointed out as students approach assessment dates schools keep reminding parents why IBTs matter.