In a residential Dubai neighbourhood, the maroon and cream-coloured low-rise buildings of a Chinese school blend into the quiet surroundings.
Red lanterns decorate the lobby and inside classrooms, a chorus of voices recite Chinese and Mandarin words displayed on a whiteboard.
In only two years, admissions at the first full-time Chinese curriculum school outside of China have nearly trebled.
Before our school was established, parents working in Dubai were separated from their children in China
Liping Yin,
Chinese School Dubai principal
Chinese parents are transferring their sons and daughters from international schools to enrol them in a school that has a strong bond with their homeland.
Teachers, parents and pupils told The National the school “helps understand our special story”.
Reuniting families
The school has also brought families together. The Chinese language teaching makes parents working in the UAE comfortable with bringing their children to live in the UAE.
The Chinese School Dubai has grown to nearly 500 pupils from 184 when launched in September 2020.
“We have solved a problem for many parents working in Dubai,” said Liping Yin, the school principal.
“Before our school was established, parents working in Dubai were separated from their children in China.
“Now families are reunited.”
The private school has the support of China’s Ministry of Education and is funded by the Hangzhou Education Bureau and Chinese businessmen in Dubai.
“Many students are from Dubai but the situation is changing,” Mr Liping said.
“Now more and more students are coming from mainland China.”
For Lingeng Qing, it is a chance to live with his father, who has worked with a Dubai travel company for more than a decade.
“My family was separated but now I’m happy to be with my father,” said the 11 year old, who moved to Dubai last year.
“If not for this school, I could never have come to Dubai.”
Feeling of belonging
Liu Yi Zhen, a grade six pupil, moved to Dubai with her mother and younger sister to be with her engineer father during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 and stayed on.
“I have studied in schools in China and compared to that, the stress here is a lot less,” the 12 year old said.
“My parents chose this school because it’s a good combination of international and Chinese schools."
Chinese teachers are frank about the areas on which she needs to work, an attitude that differs from many international schools in the emirate.
“Teachers in international schools say, ‘you are great’, ‘everything is great'," she said.
“Chinese schools encourage you but tell you where you need to improve and that helps much more.”
The emphasis on academics is clear with times tables painted across a staircase.
Other stairwells display rousing proverbs encouraging excellence.
The blue walls of a sports hall have images of traditional sports alongside photos of Chinese athletic, tennis and basketball stars.
Most subjects are taught in Chinese, but some, such as maths and science, have bilingual instruction.
Moral science and cultural study textbooks, a requirement in all UAE schools, are translated into Chinese.
Bilingual power
For Zhang Xiao, the teachers at his previous school found it hard to pronounce his name correctly.
"Back in my old school, the principal would call me J or sometimes Jackson. He would just call me different names,” said Zhang, who studied in an international school before switching in 2021.
“Even after you correct him, he would never get our names right, then you just feel a little hurt."
All his new classmates speak Chinese but often need to work on their language proficiency.
“The main difference is that teachers do not give up on any student,” the 13 year old said.
“Many of us did not have a good Chinese language background but the teachers took us under their wing and helped us learn Chinese.
“I learn Stem subjects in Chinese and English. Language reflects how each culture thinks and being bilingual really helps.”
Understanding heritage
The non-profit school has classes from kindergarten to grade seven with plans to add grade eight from the next academic year.
Mandarin classes on Saturdays are organised for pupils from other schools.
Support from parents is strong.
Wang Huichao, 33, enrolled her daughters, aged nine and seven, in the school from the launch day.
She said the children are more self-assured after moving out of an international school in Dubai.
“My daughter knows where she comes from, she understands her skin, her hair, her family," the mother said.
“She knows her own story.”
The family has lived in Dubai for more than a decade and her husband has an educational toy business in Dragon Mart.
“My daughter has her own mind but she could not explain herself really well in English,” she said.
“She was not confident in front of teachers and other students in the international school.
“In the Chinese school, the teacher understands her.
“She meets other Chinese people, learns Chinese history, language and culture.
“This is a big deal not just for her school life but for her whole life.”
Teachers learn too
It is a new experience for teachers who have moved to Dubai from China.
“Every day I spend with my students is interesting because they are from different backgrounds,” said Zhou Jianfen, vice principal, who taught at the sister school in Hangzhou, eastern China.
Mr Liping, the school's principal, speaks of the school as an extended family.
“It has been a long dream for Chinese parents and their dream has been realised,” he said.
“Most parents received a Chinese education when they were young.
“They want their children to have the chance to learn the same.”
The biog
Alwyn Stephen says much of his success is a result of taking an educated chance on business decisions.
His advice to anyone starting out in business is to have no fear as life is about taking on challenges.
“If you have the ambition and dream of something, follow that dream, be positive, determined and set goals.
"Nothing and no-one can stop you from succeeding with the right work application, and a little bit of luck along the way.”
Mr Stephen sells his luxury fragrances at selected perfumeries around the UAE, including the House of Niche Boutique in Al Seef.
He relaxes by spending time with his family at home, and enjoying his wife’s India cooking.
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
Moon Music
Artist: Coldplay
Label: Parlophone/Atlantic
Number of tracks: 10
Rating: 3/5
Fight Night
FIGHT NIGHT
Four title fights:
Amir Khan v Billy Dib - WBC International title
Hughie Fury v Samuel Peter - Heavyweight co-main event
Dave Penalosa v Lerato Dlamini - WBC Silver title
Prince Patel v Michell Banquiz - IBO World title
Six undercard bouts:
Michael Hennessy Jr v Abdul Julaidan Fatah
Amandeep Singh v Shakhobidin Zoirov
Zuhayr Al Qahtani v Farhad Hazratzada
Lolito Sonsona v Isack Junior
Rodrigo Caraballo v Sajid Abid
Ali Kiydin v Hemi Ahio
SERIE A FIXTURES
Friday (UAE kick-off times)
Sassuolo v Bologna (11.45pm)
Saturday
Brescia v Torino (6pm)
Inter Milan v Verona (9pm)
Napoli v Genoa (11.45pm)
Sunday
Cagliari v Verona (3.30pm)
Udinese v SPAL (6pm)
Sampdoria v Atalanta (6pm)
Lazio v Lecce (6pm)
Parma v Roma (9pm)
Juventus v Milan (11.45pm)
Results
Stage 7:
1. Caleb Ewan (AUS) Lotto Soudal - 3:18:29
2. Sam Bennett (IRL) Deceuninck-QuickStep - same time
3. Phil Bauhaus (GER) Bahrain Victorious
4. Michael Morkov (DEN) Deceuninck-QuickStep
5. Cees Bol (NED) Team DSM
General Classification:
1. Tadej Pogacar (SLO) UAE Team Emirates - 24:00:28
2. Adam Yates (GBR) Ineos Grenadiers - 0:00:35
3. Joao Almeida (POR) Deceuninck-QuickStep - 0:01:02
4. Chris Harper (AUS) Jumbo-Visma - 0:01:42
5. Neilson Powless (USA) EF Education-Nippo - 0:01:45
The five pillars of Islam
More on Quran memorisation:
Conflict, drought, famine
Estimates of the number of deaths caused by the famine range from 400,000 to 1 million, according to a document prepared for the UK House of Lords in 2024.
It has been claimed that the policies of the Ethiopian government, which took control after deposing Emperor Haile Selassie in a military-led revolution in 1974, contributed to the scale of the famine.
Dr Miriam Bradley, senior lecturer in humanitarian studies at the University of Manchester, has argued that, by the early 1980s, “several government policies combined to cause, rather than prevent, a famine which lasted from 1983 to 1985. Mengistu’s government imposed Stalinist-model agricultural policies involving forced collectivisation and villagisation [relocation of communities into planned villages].
The West became aware of the catastrophe through a series of BBC News reports by journalist Michael Buerk in October 1984 describing a “biblical famine” and containing graphic images of thousands of people, including children, facing starvation.
Band Aid
Bob Geldof, singer with the Irish rock group The Boomtown Rats, formed Band Aid in response to the horrific images shown in the news broadcasts.
With Midge Ure of the band Ultravox, he wrote the hit charity single Do They Know it’s Christmas in December 1984, featuring a string of high-profile musicians.
Following the single’s success, the idea to stage a rock concert evolved.
Live Aid was a series of simultaneous concerts that took place at Wembley Stadium in London, John F Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia, the US, and at various other venues across the world.
The combined event was broadcast to an estimated worldwide audience of 1.5 billion.
Infiniti QX80 specs
Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6
Power: 450hp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: From Dh450,000, Autograph model from Dh510,000
Available: Now
The biog
Favourite colour: Brown
Favourite Movie: Resident Evil
Hobbies: Painting, Cooking, Imitating Voices
Favourite food: Pizza
Trivia: Was the voice of three characters in the Emirati animation, Shaabiyat Al Cartoon
The specs: 2019 Infiniti QX50
Price, base: Dh138,000 (estimate)
Engine: 2.0L, turbocharged, in-line four-cylinder
Transmission: Continuously variable transmission
Power: 268hp @ 5,600rpm
Torque: 380Nm @ 4,400rpm
Fuel economy: 6.7L / 100km (estimate)
'How To Build A Boat'
Jonathan Gornall, Simon & Schuster
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Sui Dhaaga: Made in India
Director: Sharat Katariya
Starring: Varun Dhawan, Anushka Sharma, Raghubir Yadav
3.5/5
COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3ECompany%20name%3A%20Znap%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EStarted%3A%202017%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EFounder%3A%20Uday%20Rathod%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EBased%3A%20Dubai%2C%20UAE%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EIndustry%3A%20FinTech%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EFunding%20size%3A%20%241m%2B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EInvestors%3A%20Family%2C%20friends%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Labour dispute
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
Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
Three ways to get a gratitude glow
By committing to at least one of these daily, you can bring more gratitude into your life, says Ong.
- During your morning skincare routine, name five things you are thankful for about yourself.
- As you finish your skincare routine, look yourself in the eye and speak an affirmation, such as: “I am grateful for every part of me, including my ability to take care of my skin.”
- In the evening, take some deep breaths, notice how your skin feels, and listen for what your skin is grateful for.
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.
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
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
