UAE expat parents shocked by list of underperforming schools

A list of seriously underperforming schools in the UAE was published last Monday by the UAE’s Ministry of Education.

No less than 47 UAE international private schools have now been banned from enrolling Emirati youngsters after a list of failing educational institutions was published by the UAE’s Ministry of Education. Horrified parents are calling foul on the poor timing of the ministry’s release as well as demanding explanations for the categorisations of the schools as weak or very weak. Expatriate parents are now extremely concerned about the quality of their children’s expensive education. In addition, many parents are up in arms over the implication that the failed schools are good enough for expat kids whilst Emirati children are protected by the ban.

One long-term expatriate had enrolled her son at Sharjah’s Al Amana Private School, starting September, but is now having second thoughts as the school is on the Education Ministry’s list. She is demanding a full explanation of the reasons why the school is listed, as her son has passed the entrance examination and full annual tuition fees are due in August. An Emirati father of three has been attempting to contact his chosen school since Monday without success. His fees for all three children are Dh75,000, and he believes the school is good but is unsure whether the ban applies to his family.

The ban is likely to prove a major problem for Emirati parents who’ve enrolled their children in one of the listed schools for the upcoming academic year and who are now forced to find other schools due to the ban before term starts in September. Places at popular schools fill up very quickly, and the loss of 47 schools now disallowed from taking in Emirati children may mean insufficient places may be available at short notice. Adding to the scenario, many expatriate parents may also decide to look for a new school as they’ve no real idea why their preferred choice is now on a ‘failed’ list but are unwilling to take chances with their children’s education.