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28 March 2024

KHDA suspends permits of American school in Dubai

Dubai American Scientific school. Photo by Patrick Castillo

Published
By Sneha May Francis

Dubai’s education regulatory body, the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) confirmed that it has suspended all educational permits to the Dubai American Scientific School.

Talking to Emirates 24|7, Abdulrahman Nassir, Executive Director of Customers Relations at KHDA said, “After a series of repeated violations which it failed to address, KHDA has temporarily suspended the education permit of Dubai American Scientific School.” 

He elaborated that under the suspension put in place in August, “DASS was prohibited from accepting new students for the 2012/13 academic year,” which the school ignored.  

It has accepted new applicants for this academic year. “Certificates of students who enrolled for the first time in September 2012 will not be attested by KHDA, and no transfer certificate will be provided,” he added.  

He, however, confirmed that they will assist parents of the new students in finding “alternative schools for their children”. 

The KHDA also clarified that the school has not been shut down.  

“We have only suspended all educational permits to the school. The school is still up and running.” 

The KHDA, in fact, had already advised students, who have been enrolled in the institution earlier, to look for admissions in other schools. 

The school, which has around 500 students, has been singled-out for violating several rules and hiring 20 teachers without the KHDA’s permission. 

The school principal, Amy Robertson, who took charge after the violations were made, is upset over the negative publicity and claimed that they are working towards improving the standards.  

“I accept that there were violations in the past. And, the KHDA is upset over that. But, I am working towards changing that. We have implemented absolutely everything to improve the quality of education we are providing,” she elaborated. 

Denying receiving any official statement from the KHDA about not accepting new students, she said, “I did not get any notification. I have been told by the board that we could take in new applications. If a student wants to go to a school, they should be allowed.” 

The principal insisted that she was trying to undo the wrongs done in the past, adding that the school recently spent Dh1.5million on upgrading its educational standards. 

In an open appeal to the parents and KHDA, she said, “I request the KHDA and the parents to give us a chance to honour the commitments we have made. 

“Since I have joined, I’ve replaced all unqualified/undocumented teachers. We hired 24 certified teachers from America, Britain and Ireland. They have been trained in the curriculum in the US, that we have adopted, and ensured it has been aligned to the quality outlined by the KHDA.” 

Regarding the issue over accreditation, Amy explained that the issue is being dealt with by the school’s chairman and vice-chairman.  

It is reported that the school has been black-listed for manipulating the records of student registrations, teaching subjects without proper structure, taking no action against students for remaining absent without valid reason. There were also reports of disparity in school fees, poorly maintained buildings and undisciplined students.