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29 March 2024

Students tweet against school shut-down

Published

Students of The Westminster School in Al Qusais, which is proposed to close down in June 2014 following a financial crunch, are spearheading a social media campaign in a bid to stop their school from shutting shop. 

Many have been tweeting their solidarity and wishing the decision will be changed. 

“Guys! Please, help #KeepTWS by retweeting this! They will shut down the school if we don't act fast! Please help my friends at Westminister!,” wrote an anxious student. 

“#keepTWS bcz I its a best skul on earth , I hope 1 day i vl b bak in Tws :),” tweeted another. 

Their tweets were trending under “#keepTWS”. 

A student even tweeted Emirates 24|7, saying, “Our school is being shut down due to no increase in fees for the past 2 years. But where will 5000 students go?” 

Adding, “We're trying our best to save our school, getting parents to sign an agreement to a 20% fee increase for 4 years.” 

The campaign also saw support from some old students. 

“Graduated from TWS with 5 A*'s & 2 A's, now I'm a Civil Engineering Freshman II @ AUS! #KeepTWS because good education(outcome) : cost ratio.” 

According to some media reports, an open house will be held in the school on Thursday so that parents and students can stand united in their plea that the school doesn’t shut down. 

The decision was taken by GEMS last year. 

In a letter to the parents, the authorities had stated, “Sadly and with regret, it is therefore our intention to close The Westminster School Dubai with effect from June 2014. KHDA has provided the necessary approvals.” 

Alternate admissions were also listed out, with the school authorities adding that they would help parents secure admissions in The Winchester School, Oud Metha, The Westminster school, Sharjah, The Winchester school, Jebel Ali, The Westminster school, RAK and Cambridge International school. 

A school insider claimed there has been no change in the decision so far. “I don’t think there will be any change in that, but there is hope,” our source added. 

The education regulatory authority had earlier approved for the closure of the school. That situation remains unchanged until now.