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28 March 2024

Parents hope to save English College Primary

Published
By Sneha May Francis

Parents of kids studying at The English College Primary School are still hopeful they can save the school from shutting down in June next year.
 
This, despite the school issuing a letter clarifying that the school closure is imminent.
 
The management and Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) were in talks to find a solution, but even that hasn’t spun any surprises.
 
“Following a meeting I had with KHDA and associated parties, I am writing to outline the current situation. The original letter sent by the board is confirmed and the school is scheduled to close at the end of June 2014,” wrote William Johnston, head teacher of the school, in a letter that was sent to the parents.
 
“The closure is for business reasons and not related to fee increases.”
 
He added that “all avenues have and will continue to be explored but, of course, it is now time for you to make alternative arrangements for your child”.
 
The KHDA added that they would work towards helping parents find alternate admission for the students.
 
“The decision to close The English College Primary section was a business decision not related to fee increases. We regret the distress this has caused to students, staff and parents at the school. KHDA is working with The English College to ensure the smooth transfer of students to schools of their choice,” stated Dr Abdulla Al Karam, Chairman of the Board of Directors and Director-General, KHDA.
 
Parents, however, are hopeful of a miracle.
 
They have been consistently campaigning to save their school through the social media. Their facebook page – SOS English College Primary School – has 3,313 followers now.
 
“We are signing a letter of appeal and sending it to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai,” informed a parent, who has been actively campaigning for the primary school.
 
She admits that the recent events have been disappointing. “A lot of parents have moved their kids to other schools, so the general mood is down.”
 
Although the closure will impact the children, the parent insists that the students have shown immense resilience.
 
“It is a great school and we do not want to see it shut down,” said a parent, whose children study at year 4 and year 6.
 
“Our kids from the secondary school are even chosen as volunteers for the Ruby7.”
 
There’s a strong bond between the school and students, with some parents claiming that they would return even if they have already secured admission elsewhere.
 
“Many parents have told us that if the situation changes they will bring their kids back. Even if they have paid up at other schools,” a parent added.
 
When news of the school closure had surfaced, the parent group had offered to bear an 20 per cent increase in fee to help keep the school open.
 
The head teacher, however, highlighted that the reason for the closure had little to do with fee increase.
 
Emirates24|7 had reported about how Dubai’s education regulatory authority had stepped in to find a solution in November so that the school’s 400 students, 25 teachers and 20 support staff remain unaffected.

William Johnston had first announced the closure on November 18, in a letter to the parents of students.

“The Primary phase of The English College has been making a loss, which cannot be sustained. The KHDA who controls fees in all private schools has refused permission to raise our fees and, therefore, the board has come to the decision to close,” he had said.

The primary school was ranked “good” by the KHDA during its annual inspection last year.