Two schools in the UAE have been shortlisted for the new $250,000 World’s Best School Prizes.
Gems Legacy School in Dubai and Shining Star International School in Abu Dhabi have been named among the best schools in the world for helping to protect the environment.
They are both Indian curriculum schools.
The cash prize will be distributed between the winning schools in five categories – environmental action, innovation, community collaboration, overcoming adversity, and supporting healthy living.
Educators all over the world will now be able to learn from the examples of these outstanding UAE schools
Vikas Pota,
T4 Education
There are 10 finalists in each category. Each winner will receive $50,000.
Gems Legacy School has been named among the top 10 for environmental action, while Shining Star International School is among the top 10 in the innovation category.
The awards have been launched this year by T4 Education, a global organisation that aims to improve the quality of learning, alongside consulting company Accenture and American Express.
The prizes aim to recognise schools for the role they play in developing the next generation and for their contribution to society.
Gems Legacy School, previously known as Kindergarten Starters, charges fees from Dh7,888 ($2,150) in kindergarten to Dh10,528 in Grade 5.
Fees at Shining Star International School range from Dh8,791 in kindergarten to Dh16,815 in Grade 12.
“We have launched the World’s Best School Prizes as a grass-roots solution to help build the systemic change needed," said Vikas Pota, founder of T4 Education.
"By telling the stories of inspirational schools that are transforming the lives of their pupils and making a real difference in their communities, schools can share their best practices and have their voices heard at the top table to help transform education.
“I want to congratulate Gems Legacy School and Shining Star International School for making it to the top 10 shortlists for the inaugural prize.
"Educators all over the world will now be able to learn from the examples of these outstanding UAE schools.”
Replacing plastic water bottles with old-style water fountain
Gems Legacy School has carried out a campaign to replace single-use water bottles with environmentally friendly fountains.
Asha Alexander, executive leader for climate change at Gems Education and the principal of the school, told The National in February that the school had 16 water stations, with plans to install a further 12 before the end of the year.
The Dubai Can sustainability initiative, which was started by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, encourages people to carry refillable water bottles, use free water fountains across the city and cut down on plastic waste.
Pupils at the school also collected discarded plastic bottles from their homes and neighbourhoods for an initiative called Simply Bottles. The plastic they gathered was recycled to create yarn for clothing.
Children also encouraged restaurants near the school to avoid using plastic bags for their deliveries.
Reducing the carbon footprint in school
Shining Star International School is focused on reducing its carbon footprint. Pupils are working to improve air quality by planting trees on the school grounds.
In 2021, it was one of five schools in the country to win a global award for its efforts to protect the environment and tackle climate change.
The school worked with others in India and Poland to find solutions to the climate crisis.
School Principal Abhilasha Singh said they teach children gratitude and empathy and hopes to win the award.
"Some of the funds will be used to address any resource crunches at the school while a part of it will be set aside to help pupils who are unable to pay fees," she said.
"We have pledged a small amount of the money to project Kakuma and to refugee camps in Kakuma."
The Kakuma Project unites teachers across 75 countries offering free quality education to African refugees.
World record transfers
1. Kylian Mbappe - to Real Madrid in 2017/18 - €180 million (Dh770.4m - if a deal goes through)
2. Paul Pogba - to Manchester United in 2016/17 - €105m
3. Gareth Bale - to Real Madrid in 2013/14 - €101m
4. Cristiano Ronaldo - to Real Madrid in 2009/10 - €94m
5. Gonzalo Higuain - to Juventus in 2016/17 - €90m
6. Neymar - to Barcelona in 2013/14 - €88.2m
7. Romelu Lukaku - to Manchester United in 2017/18 - €84.7m
8. Luis Suarez - to Barcelona in 2014/15 - €81.72m
9. Angel di Maria - to Manchester United in 2014/15 - €75m
10. James Rodriguez - to Real Madrid in 2014/15 - €75m
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Ticket prices
General admission Dh295 (under-three free)
Buy a four-person Family & Friends ticket and pay for only three tickets, so the fourth family member is free
Buy tickets at: wbworldabudhabi.com/en/tickets
Tamkeen's offering
- Option 1: 70% in year 1, 50% in year 2, 30% in year 3
- Option 2: 50% across three years
- Option 3: 30% across five years
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Engine: Two permanent-magnet synchronous AC motors
Transmission: two-speed
Power: 671hp
Torque: 1050Nm
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On sale: now
THE SPECS
Cadillac XT6 2020 Premium Luxury
Engine: 3.6L V-6
Transmission: nine-speed automatic
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Price: Dh280,000
If you go
Flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh with a stop in Yangon from Dh3,075, and Etihad flies from Abu Dhabi to Phnom Penh with its partner Bangkok Airlines from Dh2,763. These trips take about nine hours each and both include taxes. From there, a road transfer takes at least four hours; airlines including KC Airlines (www.kcairlines.com) offer quick connecting flights from Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville from about $100 (Dh367) return including taxes. Air Asia, Malindo Air and Malaysian Airlines fly direct from Kuala Lumpur to Sihanoukville from $54 each way. Next year, direct flights are due to launch between Bangkok and Sihanoukville, which will cut the journey time by a third.
The stay
Rooms at Alila Villas Koh Russey (www.alilahotels.com/ kohrussey) cost from $385 per night including taxes.
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The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
If you go:
Getting there:
Flying to Guyana requires first reaching New York with either Emirates or Etihad, then connecting with JetBlue or Caribbean Air at JFK airport. Prices start from around Dh7,000.
Getting around:
Wildlife Worldwide offers a range of Guyana itineraries, such as its small group tour, the 15-day ‘Ultimate Guyana Nature Experience’ which features Georgetown, the Iwokrama Rainforest (one of the world’s four remaining pristine tropical rainforests left in the world), the Amerindian village of Surama and the Rupununi Savannah, known for its giant anteaters and river otters; wildlifeworldwide.com
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- At 9.16pm, three suicide attackers killed one person outside the Atade de France during a foootball match between France and Germany
- At 9.25pm, three attackers opened fire on restaurants and cafes over 20 minutes, killing 39 people
- Shortly after 9.40pm, three other attackers launched a three-hour raid on the Bataclan, in which 1,500 people had gathered to watch a rock concert. In total, 90 people were killed
- Salah Abdeslam, the only survivor of the terrorists, did not directly participate in the attacks, thought to be due to a technical glitch in his suicide vest
- He fled to Belgium and was involved in attacks on Brussels in March 2016. He is serving a life sentence in France
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The%20specs
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The bio
Favourite food: Japanese
Favourite car: Lamborghini
Favourite hobby: Football
Favourite quote: If your dreams don’t scare you, they are not big enough
Favourite country: UAE
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Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
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How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
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How to join and use Abu Dhabi’s public libraries
• There are six libraries in Abu Dhabi emirate run by the Department of Culture and Tourism, including one in Al Ain and Al Dhafra.
• Libraries are free to visit and visitors can consult books, use online resources and study there. Most are open from 8am to 8pm on weekdays, closed on Fridays and have variable hours on Saturdays, except for Qasr Al Watan which is open from 10am to 8pm every day.
• In order to borrow books, visitors must join the service by providing a passport photograph, Emirates ID and a refundable deposit of Dh400. Members can borrow five books for three weeks, all of which are renewable up to two times online.
• If users do not wish to pay the fee, they can still use the library’s electronic resources for free by simply registering on the website. Once registered, a username and password is provided, allowing remote access.
• For more information visit the library network's website.
