10 new public schools in Abu Dhabi

The capital's new Al Falah area is now host to the largest public model school which has a capacity for 2,100 girl students. The facility has been deemed fit for accepting new students in the upcoming 2015-2016 academic year.

The Umm Al Arab school for cycles two (grades six to nine) and three (grades 10 to 12) was inspected on Tuesday by Abu Dhabi Education Council (Adec) officials, who announced that 10 new schools costing about Dh1 billion have been built in preparation for the forthcoming academic year. This means that around 14,930 students can now find a seat at a modern educational facility.

The facility is the biggest public school in the capital and is matched with another all-boys' institute, the Rooh Al Ittihad (spirit of the union) school.

Umm Al Arab and Rooh Al Ittihad have both been built at a cost Dh306 million.

Members of the public can use the external playgrounds, library and gym of both schools.

"The [Umm Al Arab] school is equipped with 70 classrooms, music rooms, multipurpose gymnasiums, prayer rooms, a swimming pool and is completely special needs-friendly. The facility has also earned a Two Pearl sustainability rating, which means a large portion of electricity, water and other amenities are being powered through solar energy,” Dr Amal Al Qubaisi, director of Adec, said during her visit to the new facility.

"The location of the school in the heart of a tight-knit residential community means that students will get a comprehensive educational experience while members of the public also benefit from the many services it provides,” Amal added. "A cafeteria fit for 800 pupils and a stage to host theatrical events are some of the school's features.”

Launched in 2008, the Adec's Future Schools Project aims to build 100 new lower education institutes by 2020 and, with the 10 new establishments, this number has reached 58 so far.

Mistakes which were made in the Future Schools Project's first phase have now been rectified and the Adec has also allocated a building and safety supervisor at every new facility. "This employee will coordinate between the school's administration and health and safety officials with weekly and monthly reports being issued,” Khalid Al Ansari, executive director of the School's Service Centre at the Adec, told Gulf News.
Source: Gulf News