Dispute over, Abu Dhabi school to be renamed soon

The Abu Dhabi Education Council (Adec) has allowed the parents and the school time until May 15 to complete all procedures.

Allaying fears of parents and children, the owner of Ryan Private School Mussafah has said that the institution is 'functioning normally' and will soon get a brand new name.
As a soother, the school also plans to offer 10 per cent discount on tuition fees for academic year 2017-18 and 2018-19.
The crisis started last week when parents received a mail informing them about a complete takeover by owner Ismail Al Khoury without informing Ryan Group management.
"The Ryan Group has ceased, through no fault of our own, to be the operator of the school," the mail from the management said. The mail recommended parents to move students to Ryan International School in Masdar City so they do not suffer in the current year.
The Abu Dhabi Education Council (Adec) has allowed the parents and the school time until May 15 to complete all procedures.
On the differences with Ryan Group, Al Khoury said: "Those were over commercial terms. As of now, I remain the sole owner, with principal Paramjit Ahluwalia running affairs normally."
Ryan Group clarifies
In a statement sent to Khaleej Times, Ryan International Group - which operates three other schools in the UAE - noted that "Ryan's legal team has formally updated the Abu Dhabi Education Council of the situation and is in the process of retracting the group's logo, branding and all other intellectual property from the school, with immediate effect".
"The primary concern for the Ryan Group is the welfare of the students of the Mussafah school who wish to continue their association with the Ryan International Group of Institutions," the statement added. "Ryan Group is offering parents a viable solution - that of transferring the students to Ryan International School, Masdar City, for the remainder of the academic year at no added cost, given that the latter is a mere 15-minute drive from the Mussafah school. "
Jonathan Collins, chief operating officer at Ryan International Group, said that Ryan's primary concern now is that parents make an informed choice about whether they wish to continue with the school or part ways.
"We understand that parents may be keen to continue their children's enrolment under the Ryan International Group brand and are working with the authorities concerned as well as the parents themselves to facilitate the procedure and ensure minimum disruption," he added.
"Parents keen to continue their children's schooling at a Ryan brand are being encouraged to opt for our school at Masdar City, where we are making the utmost effort to accommodate the largest numbers, at no added cost."
'Everything under control'
The owner of the school, which follows India's Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) curriculum, added that despite the chaos, everything 'is under control'.
"Primary wing students went on a picnic and a fancy dress competition was held. There was a medical checkup conducted for all."
Principal Ahluwalia said there was a dispute between the owner and the Ryan management over day-to-day operations. The school used to run in the Capital as Indian Model Science School. It was shifted to Mussafah in 2014 and since operated by Ryan Group.
"I wanted to quit but owner Al Khoury said to stay put. Early last month, the owner decided to solely run the school and I was told to report only to him.
"The school portal and all mail IDs were blocked."
On April 24, parents got a mail from the blocked mail ID informing them about the takeover by owner. "I met the parents next day. About 1,200 to 1,300 parents attended the session."
Following the confusion, more than 100 students had sought transfer certificates (TC), however, parents were returning with requests for cancellations.
Parents said they were worried but have got assurances from the principal and the Abu Dhabi Education Council (Adec). "The mail was a shocker for us. However, the principal sent us an SMS saying to neglect the email," a parent said.
"We went as a group to the Adec. The council representatives assured us that the school has no issues and will function smoothly."
ashwani@khaleejtimes.com

• Abu Dhabi