The first day of school after the summer break at the Delhi Private School in The Gardens, Jebel Ali, Dubai. All photos: Antonie Robertson / The National
The first day of school after the summer break at the Delhi Private School in The Gardens, Jebel Ali, Dubai. All photos: Antonie Robertson / The National
Masked pupils learn in a classroom at the Delhi Private School.
Masked pupils learn in a classroom at the Delhi Private School.
Pupils arrive for the first day of the new term at the Delhi Private School.
Pupils arrive for the first day of the new term at the Delhi Private School.
A pupil gets back into the swing of school with coloured pencils and hand sanitiser at the Delhi Private School.
A pupil gets back into the swing of school with coloured pencils and hand sanitiser at the Delhi Private School.
Teachers and staff greet incoming pupils.
Teachers and staff greet incoming pupils.
A teacher leads a welcome back activity at the Delhi Private School.
A teacher leads a welcome back activity at the Delhi Private School.
Pupils prepare to learn on the first day of school after the summer break.
Pupils prepare to learn on the first day of school after the summer break.
Children get organised on the first day of school.
Children get organised on the first day of school.
A staff member checks a pupil's temperature.
A staff member checks a pupil's temperature.
The first day of school after the summer break at the Delhi Private School.
The first day of school after the summer break at the Delhi Private School.
A pupil shows off his creativity on the first day of school.
A pupil shows off his creativity on the first day of school.
Pupils get organised on the first day of the new term at the Delhi Private School.
Pupils get organised on the first day of the new term at the Delhi Private School.
The first day of school after the summer break at the Delhi Private School.
The first day of school after the summer break at the Delhi Private School.
A staff member performs temperature checks as pupils arrive.
A staff member performs temperature checks as pupils arrive.
Children arrive at the Delhi Private School for the first day of the new term.
Children arrive at the Delhi Private School for the first day of the new term.
Learning to read at the Delhi Private School.
Learning to read at the Delhi Private School.
Teachers and staff members welcome pupils on their first day back at school.
Teachers and staff members welcome pupils on their first day back at school.
Parents drop children off at the Delhi Private School.
Parents drop children off at the Delhi Private School.

UAE

Four in ten parents in Dubai want 'alternative to traditional schooling' after pandemic

Education regulator's study also finds one in four thought their child learns better remotely

Anam Rizvi
Anam Rizvi

October 13, 2021

  • English
  • Arabic

Nearly half of parents of privately educated pupils in Dubai are interested in an alternative to traditional education, a new study has found.

Forty-four per cent said they would be keen to explore options other than bricks-and-mortar schools for their children.

Further findings showed 26 per cent said their children learnt better at home using distance learning - though the majority, 57 per cent, said they learnt better back in the classroom.

The findings came as parents weigh up the high cost of private education, given the financial squeeze on many households during the pandemic. Schools and universities are also under pressure to look at how well they are preparing young people for a rapidly changing job market.

The results were detailed in a survey by the government-run Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), which regulates private schools in Dubai.

Leaders have recognised that teachers are dealing with a changed and more complex workload. These include being in school and working from home in the same week and other personal and Covid-related issues
Knowledge and Human Development Authority

Twenty-one per cent of parents reported that they would want their children to continue with online learning after the Covid-19 pandemic, with 61 per cent disagreeing with this sentiment and the remaining 18 per cent unsure.

The pandemic transformed the education sector for many millions of pupils and teachers around the globe as schools switched to online learning.

While traditional education methods still hold sway with the public, schools have adapted to new technology to ensure study continues during the pandemic.

Teacher wellbeing was brought under focus in the new report.

“Leaders have recognised that teachers are dealing with a changed and more complex workload,” read the KHDA study, titled Community First.

“These include being in school and working from home in the same week, balancing the needs of pupils doing distance and face-to-face learning, and other personal and Covid-related issues.”

Pupils arriving on the first day back of in-person learning at the Indian High School in Oud Metha, Dubai. Nearly 13,000 pupils went back for in-person classes across three campuses. All photos: Ruel Pableo for The National
Pupils arriving on the first day back of in-person learning at the Indian High School in Oud Metha, Dubai. Nearly 13,000 pupils went back for in-person classes across three campuses. All photos: Ruel Pableo for The National
Pupils arriving on the first day of in-person learning at the Indian High School in Oud Metha, Dubai. Close to 95 per cent of these pupils were returning to in-person schooling for the first time in 18 months.
Pupils arriving on the first day of in-person learning at the Indian High School in Oud Metha, Dubai. Close to 95 per cent of these pupils were returning to in-person schooling for the first time in 18 months.
Pupils arriving on the first day of in-person learning at the Indian High School in Oud Metha, Dubai. Pupils were excited to meet their friends and teachers again.
Pupils arriving on the first day of in-person learning at the Indian High School in Oud Metha, Dubai. Pupils were excited to meet their friends and teachers again.
Pupils go through the proper sanitation protocol on the first day of in-person learning at the Indian High School in Oud Metha, Dubai.
Pupils go through the proper sanitation protocol on the first day of in-person learning at the Indian High School in Oud Metha, Dubai.
Pupils queuing to enter their classrooms on the first day of in-person learning at the Indian High School in Oud Metha, Dubai.
Pupils queuing to enter their classrooms on the first day of in-person learning at the Indian High School in Oud Metha, Dubai.
Pupils arriving in school buses on the first day of in-person learning at the Indian High School in Oud Metha, Dubai.
Pupils arriving in school buses on the first day of in-person learning at the Indian High School in Oud Metha, Dubai.
Pupils queuing to enter their classrooms on the first day of in-person learning at the Indian High School in Oud Metha, Dubai.
Pupils queuing to enter their classrooms on the first day of in-person learning at the Indian High School in Oud Metha, Dubai.
Pupils arriving on the first day of in-person learning at the Indian High School in Oud Metha, Dubai.
Pupils arriving on the first day of in-person learning at the Indian High School in Oud Metha, Dubai.
Pupils arriving on the first day of in-person learning at the Indian High School in Oud Metha, Dubai.
Pupils arriving on the first day of in-person learning at the Indian High School in Oud Metha, Dubai.
Pupils queuing to enter their classrooms on the first day of in-person learning at the Indian High School in Oud Metha, Dubai.
Pupils queuing to enter their classrooms on the first day of in-person learning at the Indian High School in Oud Metha, Dubai.
Pupils queuing to enter their classrooms on the first day of in-person learning at the Indian High School in Oud Metha, Dubai.
Pupils queuing to enter their classrooms on the first day of in-person learning at the Indian High School in Oud Metha, Dubai.
Teacher Usha Devi on the first day of in-person learning at the Indian High School in Oud Metha, Dubai.
Teacher Usha Devi on the first day of in-person learning at the Indian High School in Oud Metha, Dubai.
Students on their first day of in-person learning at the Indian High School in Oud Metha, Dubai.
Students on their first day of in-person learning at the Indian High School in Oud Metha, Dubai.
Punit MK Vasu, chief executive of the Indian High School, on the first day of in-person learning.
Punit MK Vasu, chief executive of the Indian High School, on the first day of in-person learning.
Pupils listen to their teacher on their first day of in-person learning at the Indian High School in Oud Metha, Dubai.
Pupils listen to their teacher on their first day of in-person learning at the Indian High School in Oud Metha, Dubai.
Priyal Babariya was one of the pupils to attend on the first day of in-person learning at the Indian High School in Oud Metha, Dubai.
Priyal Babariya was one of the pupils to attend on the first day of in-person learning at the Indian High School in Oud Metha, Dubai.
Sian Shinjo, a 10th grader at the school, said: 'I am a bit nervous as everything has changed a lot. I am sure it will be safe, and the school has kept us informed.'
Sian Shinjo, a 10th grader at the school, said: 'I am a bit nervous as everything has changed a lot. I am sure it will be safe, and the school has kept us informed.'
Rohi Ilyas, a mother-of-two and an entrepreneur, said her children had studied at home for 18 months.
Rohi Ilyas, a mother-of-two and an entrepreneur, said her children had studied at home for 18 months.
Utkarsh Chaube, father of a 13-year-old pupil at the Indian High School, said his son spent about 10 to 12 hours in a day in front of a screen when studying remotely.
Utkarsh Chaube, father of a 13-year-old pupil at the Indian High School, said his son spent about 10 to 12 hours in a day in front of a screen when studying remotely.
Pupils on their first day of in-person learning at the Indian High School.
Pupils on their first day of in-person learning at the Indian High School.
Sathya Lakshmi, 15, said seeing everyone back together was the most special part of returning to in-person classes.
Sathya Lakshmi, 15, said seeing everyone back together was the most special part of returning to in-person classes.
Uma Madhumohan, whose daughter Tejasvi is a 10th grader at the school, said her daughter was excited to get back to learning.
Uma Madhumohan, whose daughter Tejasvi is a 10th grader at the school, said her daughter was excited to get back to learning.
'I am on cloud nine. It’s been one-and-a-half-years since I have been on campus for in-person classes and I have missed it and my friends terribly,' said Nehan Naseem Ali, 12.
'I am on cloud nine. It’s been one-and-a-half-years since I have been on campus for in-person classes and I have missed it and my friends terribly,' said Nehan Naseem Ali, 12.
Pupils back at work inside the classroom.
Pupils back at work inside the classroom.
'Having the pupils back is unbelievable. I feel ecstatic,' said Punit MK Vasu, chief executive of the Indian High School.
'Having the pupils back is unbelievable. I feel ecstatic,' said Punit MK Vasu, chief executive of the Indian High School.
Indian High school
Indian High school

According to the study, schools established ways to help teachers who were struggling during the pandemic.

Schools organised wellness committees to support staff, had mentors to coach teachers with IT skills when schools moved to online learning, and organised informal virtual events.

“The education community learnt a great deal in its response to the challenges presented by the pandemic, especially in areas of pupil and staff wellbeing; the provision of distance and blended learning; and the key role of educators working from home and school,” Fatma Belrehif, chief executive officer of Dubai Schools Inspection Bureau at KHDA, said.

“This report applies these lessons to how we could experience teaching and learning in the future.”

Parents’ engagement in their children’s education changed during the pandemic, and 61 per cent parents said they were now much more involved in it.

The report revealed that 87 per cent parents were satisfied with the quality of education their children received.

Most of the Dubai’s pupil population of close to 300,000 children, barring those with exemptions, went back to classrooms on October 3, when schools reopened throughout the emirate.

The UAE has embraced technology to further its development in numerous sectors, education included.

An innovative coding college without teachers or classrooms opened in Abu Dhabi this week, with 225 students.

Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, a member of Abu Dhabi Executive Council and chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Office, inaugurated the campus, called 42 Abu Dhabi, in Mina Zayed on Sunday.

Sheikh Khaled said it represented a milestone in the UAE leadership’s strategy to nurture tomorrow’s leaders today.

HIJRA

Starring: Lamar Faden, Khairiah Nathmy, Nawaf Al-Dhufairy

Director: Shahad Ameen

Rating: 3/5

UAE%20athletes%20heading%20to%20Paris%202024
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEquestrian%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fstrong%3EAbdullah%20Humaid%20Al%20Muhairi%2C%20Abdullah%20Al%20Marri%2C%20Omar%20Al%20Marzooqi%2C%20Salem%20Al%20Suwaidi%2C%20and%20Ali%20Al%20Karbi%20(four%20to%20be%20selected).%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EJudo%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fstrong%3EMen%3A%20Narmandakh%20Bayanmunkh%20(66kg)%2C%20Nugzari%20Tatalashvili%20(81kg)%2C%20Aram%20Grigorian%20(90kg)%2C%20Dzhafar%20Kostoev%20(100kg)%2C%20Magomedomar%20Magomedomarov%20(%2B100kg)%3B%20women's%20Khorloodoi%20Bishrelt%20(52kg).%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3E%3Cbr%3ECycling%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fstrong%3ESafia%20Al%20Sayegh%20(women's%20road%20race).%3Cstrong%3E%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ESwimming%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fstrong%3EMen%3A%20Yousef%20Rashid%20Al%20Matroushi%20(100m%20freestyle)%3B%20women%3A%20Maha%20Abdullah%20Al%20Shehi%20(200m%20freestyle).%3Cstrong%3E%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EAthletics%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fstrong%3EMaryam%20Mohammed%20Al%20Farsi%20(women's%20100%20metres).%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Red flags
  • Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
  • Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
  • Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
  • Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
  • Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.

Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching

THE BIO: Martin Van Almsick

Hometown: Cologne, Germany

Family: Wife Hanan Ahmed and their three children, Marrah (23), Tibijan (19), Amon (13)

Favourite dessert: Umm Ali with dark camel milk chocolate flakes

Favourite hobby: Football

Breakfast routine: a tall glass of camel milk

Pharaoh's curse

British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.

Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
AI traffic lights to ease congestion at seven points to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Street

The seven points are:

Shakhbout bin Sultan Street

Dhafeer Street

Hadbat Al Ghubainah Street (outbound)

Salama bint Butti Street

Al Dhafra Street

Rabdan Street

Umm Yifina Street exit (inbound)

DUBAI%20BLING%3A%20EPISODE%201
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECreator%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENetflix%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EKris%20Fade%2C%20Ebraheem%20Al%20Samadi%2C%20Zeina%20Khoury%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
HOW TO WATCH

Facebook: TheNationalNews  

Twitter: @thenationalnews  

Instagram: @thenationalnews.com  

TikTok: @thenationalnews 

Key findings of Jenkins report
  • Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
  • Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
  • Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
  • Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
THREE
%3Cp%3EDirector%3A%20Nayla%20Al%20Khaja%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EStarring%3A%20Jefferson%20Hall%2C%20Faten%20Ahmed%2C%20Noura%20Alabed%2C%20Saud%20Alzarooni%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ERating%3A%203.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm

Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm

Transmission: 9-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh117,059

RESULTS

5pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Maiden (PA) Dh 70,000 (Dirt) 1,600m
Winner: Samau Xmnsor, Abdul Aziz Al Balushi (jockey), Ibrahim Al Hadhrami (trainer)
5.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Ottoman, Szczepan Mazur, Abdallah Al Hammadi
6pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 1,800m
Winner: Sharkh, Patrick Cosgrave, Helal Al Alawi
6.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh 85,000 (D) 1,800m
Winner: Yaraa, Fernando Jara, Majed Al Jahouri
7pm: Handicap (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner: Maaly Al Reef, Bernardo Pinheiro, Abdallah Al Hammadi
7.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 1,000m
Winner: Jinjal, Fabrice Veron, Ahmed Al Shemaili
8pm: Handicap (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 1,000m
Winner: Al Sail, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel

On Women's Day
More from Firas Maksad
The%20specs
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPowertrain%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESingle%20electric%20motor%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E201hp%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E310Nm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESingle-speed%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBattery%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E53kWh%20lithium-ion%20battery%20pack%20(GS%20base%20model)%3B%2070kWh%20battery%20pack%20(GF)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETouring%20range%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E350km%20(GS)%3B%20480km%20(GF)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh129%2C900%20(GS)%3B%20Dh149%2C000%20(GF)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Now%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
If you go

The flights

There are direct flights from Dubai to Sofia with FlyDubai (www.flydubai.com) and Wizz Air (www.wizzair.com), from Dh1,164 and Dh822 return including taxes, respectively.

The trip

Plovdiv is 150km from Sofia, with an hourly bus service taking around 2 hours and costing $16 (Dh58). The Rhodopes can be reached from Sofia in between 2-4hours.

The trip was organised by Bulguides (www.bulguides.com), which organises guided trips throughout Bulgaria. Guiding, accommodation, food and transfers from Plovdiv to the mountains and back costs around 170 USD for a four-day, three-night trip.

 

RedCrow Intelligence Company Profile

Started: 2016

Founders: Hussein Nasser Eddin, Laila Akel, Tayeb Akel 

Based: Ramallah, Palestine

Sector: Technology, Security

# of staff: 13

Investment: $745,000

Investors: Palestine’s Ibtikar Fund, Abu Dhabi’s Gothams and angel investors

UAE currency
While you're here
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
On Women's Day
Volvo ES90 Specs

Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)

Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp

Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm

On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region

Price: Exact regional pricing TBA

School uniforms report
While you're here
Seven%20Winters%20in%20Tehran
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%20%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Steffi%20Niederzoll%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Reyhaneh%20Jabbari%2C%20Shole%20Pakravan%2C%20Zar%20Amir%20Ebrahimi%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Five expert hiking tips
    Always check the weather forecast before setting off Make sure you have plenty of water Set off early to avoid sudden weather changes in the afternoon Wear appropriate clothing and footwear Take your litter home with you
Jetour T1 specs

Engine: 2-litre turbocharged

Power: 254hp

Torque: 390Nm

Price: From Dh126,000

Available: Now

On Women's Day
Updated: October 14, 2021, 5:55 AM`
SchoolsDubai