Scientific research in the independent schools

The number of researches and their quality has become - in today world - a benchmark for nations progress all over the world. This necessitates preparing children and fostering the best research practices such as data collection skills, data tabulation, classification and analysis, creative thinking skills, scientific induction. Young researchers at schools are the leaders of future, so by supporting them, we participate in preparing our human capital - the most important resource in a sustainable development.

In this regard, to shed light on the situation or state of research in the independent schools, the Office of Communication conducted a survey, which involved educators and teachers from the independent schools. They all expressed their opinions on the importance of research to students, the facilities provided by schools for preparing young researchers (students), spreading of the culture of scientific research in independent schools, the correlation between research practice and academic achievements, students motivation to conduct researches in schools, establishment of research clubs inside the schools, competitions revolving around research, students research fairs, the best ways of encouraging students to join research clubs or research groups and other related research issues.

Sheikha Hamad Al Hajri, the curriculum coordinator in the Research Skills Development Unit of the Curriculum Standards Office at the Education Institute explained that the unit develops research skills in independent schools three fold: by helping schools to establish research clubs, developing research skills aligned with the curriculum standards, and developing research skills through separate class rooms or workshops held by schools as well as preparing research fairs and organizing competition among schools and students.

Educators and teachers from Ahmad bin Mohammed Al Thani Independent School for Boys, Al Ieman Secondary Independent School for Girls, Omar bin Al Khattab Preparatory Independent School and Amna bint Wahab Preparatory Independent School for Girls confirmed the positive correlation between research and student achievement. They also confirmed that research practices assist in nurturing students’ personalities and more and more students are increasingly motivated to prepare research projects.

Educators commended the positive role the research clubs or research groups in schools play in encouraging students through the provision of financial and moral incentives and rewards. The educators recommended that the research practices should be taken seriously in schools by establishing a research curriculum and nominating qualified teachers to deliver research practices in the independent schools.