Five community schools to open in Abu Dhabi

The services and programmes, delivered to students and parents include sports, social and cultural activities.- Alamy Image

Five more community schools have been opened in Abu Dhabi, thus bringing the total number to 20, the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (Adek) announced on Saturday.
The project reflects Adek's vision to turn a school into a cultural and social hub for the community, and to maximise the use of school facilities after the school day through different activities that enhance students, parents and teacher relationships, while boosting community engagement.
The services and programmes, delivered to students and parents include sports, social and cultural activities.
The new community schools in Abu Dhabi include Humooda Bin Ali School, Saad Bin Moath School, Al Salam School and Al Rowad School and Al Siddique School in Al Dhafra.
Adek's extra-curricular activities section manager Nasser Khamis said the project is expected to cover more schools and activities within the next three years in line with the Adek strategy to serve every school's local community.
"We are keen to study programmes and activities that benefit the community and meet their needs before opening any community school. Adek has organised a series of workshops and meetings with students and parents to receive their feedback about services and activities provided and the new programmes that they would like Adek to provide in the future," said Khamis.
He noted that spending around eight hours a week with family and community members in skill-improving activities helps build healthier community ties through exploring and nurturing talents and promoting personal skills and family interaction.
The current phase of community schools project 2017-18 covers 20 schools with nine in Abu Dhabi, six in Al Dhafra region and five in Al Ain region, all of which are equipped with top-class resources and recreational equipment and facilities.
Adek's leadership is keen to provide schools with qualified teachers and specialists to oversee and facilitate the various activities and programmes for students and participants, as well as capable supervisors who are requested to manage school buildings and facilities.
The daily activities and programmes provided by community schools include swimming sessions, English, IT courses, art workshops, students tutoring classes, football, basketball, aquatic exercises/workouts, aerobics, science workshops, self-defense training, gymnastics, poetry and theatrical performances, health awareness and social counseling lectures and other activities.
ashwani@khaleejtimes.com