The UAE's best-performing public school pupils have spoken of the moment Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, personally called them to reveal their results.
Sheikh Mohammed made the surprise phone calls on Tuesday, before the official release of nationwide results the following day.
Sumaya Al Ketbi, 17, an Emirati pupil at Al Ataa School in Abu Dhabi, was first in the general UAE stream, one of several tracks government schools use to educate pupils based on their strengths.
“I did not know I was the country topper and was surprised when Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid called me,” she said.
I will be studying aerospace engineering, possibly at UAE University
Sumaya Abdulla Al Ketbi,
Al Ataa School in Abu Dhabi
“I felt happy and excited when he called me. I felt happier about receiving his call than about my grades.”
Ambitious Sumaya plans to pursue a degree in engineering sciences, at a time when there is demand for highly skilled workers.
“I will be studying aerospace engineering, possibly at UAE University,” she said.
Emirates Schools Establishment, the UAE’s public school operator, released Grade 12 exam results on Wednesday.
This year 28,775 pupils at public schools, plus a small number of private schools that follow the Ministry of Education curriculum, sat end-of-year exams and secured a pass rate of 94.4 per cent.
Mozoon Al Ketbi, a 17-year-old Emirati who ranked first in the elite stream, said: “When he called me, I cried. I can’t describe my feelings at that time. It was such a surprise.
“It was such a nice moment that he himself called and told me I’m the first in the country.”
Mozoon, a grade-12 pupil at Falaj Al Moalla girls' school in Umm Al Quwain, hopes to pursue studies in aerospace engineering at Khalifa University.
Meticulous planning was the key to her exam success, she said.
The pupil studied mathematics, calculus, physics, chemistry and biology in school, as well as taking advanced university-level courses in calculus.
Sheikh Mohammed also congratulated the top eight students across the UAE on his Twitter account.
Abdelrahman Elkhalafy, Faris Radwan, Asem Mahmoud, Mohammed Almansoori, Ali Al Hebshi and Mohamed Alteneiji all received his best wishes.
The grade-12 pupils were divided into four groups, with 648 in the elite stream with a pass rate of 98 per cent; 5,781 in the advanced stream with a pass rate of 98.6 per cent; 13,090 in the general stream with a pass rate of 90.7 per cent; and 1,038 in the applied stream.
As for grade-12 private school pupils following the MoE curriculum, 5,835 in the advanced stream had a pass rate of 98.6 per cent and 2,383 in the general stream achieved a pass rate of 93.2 per cent.
After finishing grade nine, pupils in MoE curriculum schools can choose either to remain in the general stream or join the advanced stream.
Pupils in the advanced stream receive more in-depth instruction in maths and sciences than those in the general track.
The elite group is an advanced science programme for academically outstanding pupils.
The applied stream offers pupils a set of core and vocational subjects.
Ali, 18, an Emirati-Yemeni who lives in Abu Dhabi, came first in the nation in the advanced applied technology high school stream.
“I had eagerly waited for these results and am very happy about these,” he said.
“I hope to be study electrical engineering in Khalifa University.
“I was surprised. I got my highest score in physics, which was 100 and was hoping for 100 in mathematics but got 99.”
Abdelrahman, a 17-year-old in Khor Fakkan, ranked first nationwide in the advanced stream.
The Egyptian pupil said he hoped to study medicine at Sharjah University and was still in the process of application.
“It’s an unbelievable feeling and my family are also very happy,” he said.
Sarah Al Amiri, Minister of State for Public Education and Future Technology and chairwoman of the Board of Directors of the Emirates Schools Establishment, also congratulated the pupils and their families on their end-of-year performance.
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
SPECS
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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
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Zayed Sustainability Prize
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre twin-turbo flat-six
Power: 480hp at 6,500rpm
Torque: 570Nm from 2,300-5,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch auto
Fuel consumption: 10.4L/100km
Price: from Dh547,600
On sale: now
OPINIONS ON PALESTINE & ISRAEL
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
EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBERS
Estijaba – 8001717 – number to call to request coronavirus testing
Ministry of Health and Prevention – 80011111
Dubai Health Authority – 800342 – The number to book a free video or voice consultation with a doctor or connect to a local health centre
Emirates airline – 600555555
Etihad Airways – 600555666
Ambulance – 998
Knowledge and Human Development Authority – 8005432 ext. 4 for Covid-19 queries
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Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Scores in brief:
Boost Defenders 205-5 in 20 overs
(Colin Ingram 84 not out, Cameron Delport 36, William Somerville 2-28)
bt Auckland Aces 170 for 5 in 20 overs
(Rob O’Donnell 67 not out, Kyle Abbott 3-21).
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Avengers: Endgame
Directors: Anthony Russo, Joe Russo
Starring: Robert Downey Jr, Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Chris Hemsworth, Josh Brolin
4/5 stars
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
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
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The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
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Lewis Hamilton in 2018
Australia 2nd; Bahrain 3rd; China 4th; Azerbaijan 1st; Spain 1st; Monaco 3rd; Canada 5th; France 1st; Austria DNF; Britain 2nd; Germany 1st; Hungary 1st; Belgium 2nd; Italy 1st; Singapore 1st; Russia 1st; Japan 1st; United States 3rd; Mexico 4th
Other ways to buy used products in the UAE
UAE insurance firm Al Wathba National Insurance Company (AWNIC) last year launched an e-commerce website with a facility enabling users to buy car wrecks.
Bidders and potential buyers register on the online salvage car auction portal to view vehicles, review condition reports, or arrange physical surveys, and then start bidding for motors they plan to restore or harvest for parts.
Physical salvage car auctions are a common method for insurers around the world to move on heavily damaged vehicles, but AWNIC is one of the few UAE insurers to offer such services online.
For cars and less sizeable items such as bicycles and furniture, Dubizzle is arguably the best-known marketplace for pre-loved.
Founded in 2005, in recent years it has been joined by a plethora of Facebook community pages for shifting used goods, including Abu Dhabi Marketplace, Flea Market UAE and Arabian Ranches Souq Market while sites such as The Luxury Closet and Riot deal largely in second-hand fashion.
At the high-end of the pre-used spectrum, resellers such as Timepiece360.ae, WatchBox Middle East and Watches Market Dubai deal in authenticated second-hand luxury timepieces from brands such as Rolex, Hublot and Tag Heuer, with a warranty.
Challenge Cup result:
1. UAE 3 faults
2. Ireland 9 faults
3. Brazil 11 faults
4. Spain 15 faults
5. Great Britain 17 faults
6. New Zealand 20 faults
7. Italy 26 faults
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
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
NBA FINALS SO FAR
(Toronto lead 3-2 in best-of-seven series)
Game 1 Raptors 118 Warriors 109
Game 2 Raptors 104 Warriors 109
Game 3 Warriors 109 Raptors 123
Game 4 Warriors 92 Raptors 105
Game 5 Raptors 105 Warriors 106
Game 6 Thursday, at Oakland
Game 7 Sunday, at Toronto (if needed)
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Emergency
Director: Kangana Ranaut
Stars: Kangana Ranaut, Anupam Kher, Shreyas Talpade, Milind Soman, Mahima Chaudhry
Rating: 2/5
Ms Yang's top tips for parents new to the UAE
- Join parent networks
- Look beyond school fees
- Keep an open mind
Graduated from the American University of Sharjah
She is the eldest of three brothers and two sisters
Has helped solve 15 cases of electric shocks
Enjoys travelling, reading and horse riding
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TEACHERS' PAY - WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Pay varies significantly depending on the school, its rating and the curriculum. Here's a rough guide as of January 2021:
- top end schools tend to pay Dh16,000-17,000 a month - plus a monthly housing allowance of up to Dh6,000. These tend to be British curriculum schools rated 'outstanding' or 'very good', followed by American schools
- average salary across curriculums and skill levels is about Dh10,000, recruiters say
- it is becoming more common for schools to provide accommodation, sometimes in an apartment block with other teachers, rather than hand teachers a cash housing allowance
- some strong performing schools have cut back on salaries since the pandemic began, sometimes offering Dh16,000 including the housing allowance, which reflects the slump in rental costs, and sheer demand for jobs
- maths and science teachers are most in demand and some schools will pay up to Dh3,000 more than other teachers in recognition of their technical skills
- at the other end of the market, teachers in some Indian schools, where fees are lower and competition among applicants is intense, can be paid as low as Dh3,000 per month
- in Indian schools, it has also become common for teachers to share residential accommodation, living in a block with colleagues
