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Prestigious Indian school to open in Abu Dhabi

India’s prestigious Mayoor School in Ajmer is opening branch at Al Wathba to serve the middle to upper class Indian families in the Capital.

Known as the ‘Eton of India’, Mayoor Private School Abu Dhabi will open its doors in April 2014 to over 1,500 students from Kindergarten to Grade 7 for the first phase. It will follow the CBSE curriculum.

Construction of the school started this month and is expected to be completed by mid-March next year. Phase 2 includes the high school building and is slated to be completed by September.

Artist’s impression of the Mayoor Private School Abu Dhabi which will open in April 2014. — Supplied photo

The Abu Dhabi branch, which will be operated by Taalem National Private Education and Facilities Management Company, will follow the century-old tradition of the Mayo College General Council in providing quality learner-centred education.

“The school board is known to many Indians and I know this school has graduated elite and famous people in India. It has the highest standard and does not compromise whatsoever on education,” said Abduljabbar Alsayegh, chairman of Taalem.

According to Alsayegh, education-wise, the Mayoor Private School will rival some of the top schools in the emirate. However, fees will be lower by 50 to 60 per cent.

“The fees will be between Dh12,000 and Dh20,000 annually depending on the year. Middle and upper class Indian families will be able to afford. We’re not here to make money, it will be a while before we break even,”

Alsayegh told Khaleej Times. Admission to the school will be stringent. Students will have to prove their academic competence, undergo an interview and pass the entrance exam. With state-of-the-art infrastructure, Mayoor School will offer multi-media platforms in all classrooms with interactive whiteboards and tablets. Facilities include art and music studios, learning resource rooms, laboratories and IT suites, a 1000-capacity multi-purpose auditorium and gymnasium, swimming pool, two lawn tennis and basketball courts, cricket practice pitches and a five-a-side soccer playing field.

The opening of Mayoor Private School will offer relief to the perennial shortage of places at Indian schools every year.

There are currently about 18 Indian schools in the Abu Dhabi island, all of which are running at full capacity. The shortages were primarily caused by more expat students entering school age and Indian families moving to the emirate, creating additional demand. This year’s dilemma was exacerbated by the closure of villa schools.

Mayoor will be the second Indian school to open in Al Wathba next academic year. The Abu Dhabi Indian School (ADIS) branch is also expected to help meet the demand for more places at CBSE schools.

olivia@khaleejtimes.com