DUBAI — Nearly half of the 1,600 PCs distributed to the 50 Al Ghad (Future Schools) across the country at the beginning of the academic year are lying unused, and in fact, are still packed in the cartons, reliable sources at the Ministry of Education have disclosed.
The sources attributed this to lack of initiative as well as lack of tables for placing the PCs. These computers have so far been kept merely as ‘decorative pieces’ in the classrooms, the sources said.
The sources added that six major companies were assigned the task of installing Internet service, wireless and server systems as well as PCs, printers, and software at a total cost of Dh100 million. All these works had to be completed before the beginning of the academic year.
One of these companies which won a contract, installed the network and wireless service at 25 schools in Dubai, Ras Al Khaimah, Khorfakkan, Fujairah and Ajman at a cost of Dh13 million. Another company installed the network at 25 schools in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Western region, Umm Al Quwain, Sharjah and one school in Ajman, at a cost of Dh13 million, the sources said.