UAE Filipino parents pressed to find new school

Parents of Filipino students studying in private schools in the United Arab Emirates are hard pressed to find an alternative school where to transfer their children. The UAE has recently ordered the closure of six schools in Abu Dhabi City over health and safety risks, said a report by the Khaleej Times last week. Supposed violations of these schools include overcrowding, failure to follow acceptable maintenance procedures, unsatisfactory fire and emergency response capacity, electrical hazards, structural instability, unlicensed construction, unsanitary conditions, and lack of parking, pickup and drop-off space, the report said. The impending closure will displace 2,291students from the Azhar Palestine School, Al Sahaba Private School and Kindergarten, Al Mashreq Private School, Cultural Private School, Al Sahel (The Coast) Private School, and Pioneers International Private School. Of the six schools, only Pioneers International offers the Philippine curriculum, and rest offer the UAE Ministry of Education curriculum. Daniel Sistona, principal of the Pioneers International, said the Abu Dhabu City government wants the school to widen its corridor and staircase and expand its clinic. "I am worried where I will transfer my kids," the report quoted Filipino Leila Quiambao, whose children are in grades 7 and 9 at Pioneers International. Two other schools in the UAE offer the Philippine curriculum, but are already running at full capacity. The Abu Dhabi Education Council (ADEC) has offered two vacant government schools in the Baniyas and Muroor areas to accommodate the displaced students. One will offer the UAE-based curriculum, the other the English-medium curriculum. Yousuf Al Seryani, education advisor to ADEC Director General Dr .Al Khaili, said the move is a "positive step" for Filipino students because the English-medium school will give Filipino students higher quality education. The Khaleej Times report likewise said Abu Dhabi faces a private-school shortage, especially those offering the Indian and Philippine curricula. —With Sophia Dedace, JE/VS, GMANews.TV