250 students find help after UAE school shuts down

The Al Dhia school administration has even agreed to cut down their fees considering the situation of the students.- Alamy Image

As many as 250 students were left in the lurch after their school suddenly closed down due to "financial losses". When Sharjah Private Education Authority (Spea) came to know about their plight through a parent on the 'Live Broadcast' radio programme, it helped the students register them in other schools.
Ali Al Hawsani, director of Spea, said they responded swiftly to the complaint of Abu Lujain, father of a student hit by the school closure, and ensured the students don't miss their classes. 
During the live broadcast, the father said he paid the registration fees, and his kids went to the 'New Generation Private School' as usual, but they were shocked when the administration told them that have stopped functioning and "the school is up for sale".
"It was so difficult - almost impossible - to find a school for our children in such a short time, particularly when the new academic year had already started."
On knowing about the predicament and ordeal the students and their parents faced, the Spea director promised that he will find places for all the students - from KG to Grade 5 - in other schools against the same fees.
"All parents of the 250 students are urged to contact the Spea to help them find the school that is most suitable for their kids, and offer them the same Arabic curricula against the same fees," he said.
Parents can also collect all the registration fees and installments paid to the New Generation Private School, he pointed out.
Al Hawsani said the investor had alerted the Spea in May this year that he did not plan to open the school again and offered it for sale. "He said another investor would chip in."
However, as the new investor failed to finish the administrative procedures timely, the first investor told Spea in June he would shut the school, he added.
A meeting was held with the owner of the school urging him to open it, but he could not, citing financial losses, Al Hawsani explained.
"The Spea immediately took action and started contacting other schools teaching the same curriculum of the Ministry of Education. These were Al Dhia Private School, Al Estiqlal private School, and Al Noor Private School."
The Al Dhia Private School fees is between Dh4,700 and Dh7,200, which is almost the same as that of the closed one that ranged from Dh3,800 to Dh5,000, he disclosed.
"The Al Dhia school administration has even agreed to cut down their fees considering the situation of the students."
Al Hawsani noted that Spea was ready to manage the closed school if they failed to find alternative places for the students in other schools.
The administration of the New Generation Private School has been instructed to keep some of its administrative staff available to pay back the registration fees and installment they have already collected.
"Should any parent have a problem with pending installment from the previous year, the Spea will help secure a place for their kids in another school, and reach a settlement with the administration of the closed school."
ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com