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29 March 2024

Dubai American school shut over major offences

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By Staff

Dubai authorities have shut the American Scientific School after it was accused of committing massive violations, including illegal hiring of teachers, overcharging students and tampering with their files, a newspaper reported on Saturday.

The Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) said the school’s 244 students have already completed procedures to move to another school for the next academic year after it agreed on a request by the Dubai American Scientific School (DASS) to close before the start of the next scholastic year.

“The closure follows evidence that the school committed massive violations of the country’s education law,” Dubai-based Arabic language daily Emarat Al Youm said, quoting Amal Balhasa, Discipline Director at KHDA.

The paper said DASS had been involved in what it described as “random” teaching which was not recognised by KHDA while 30 students were found to have been absent from class for periods ranging between 21 and 76 days without any measures being taken against them by the school management.

It noted that education laws stipulate that students who do not report to school for 21 days should be sacked.

KHDA also found out that 20 teachers were working at the school without any contracts or labour cards and that some students’ files had been tampered with.

“The Authority also discovered that some students have paid Dh49,000 although fees at that class are set at Dh24,000,” the paper said.

“In another case, KHDA inspectors witnessed by coincidence a fight between two students, one of whom had a knife. Another case involved a fight between a female teacher and a male student and the problem was reported to the police.

“KHDA also noticed the school management has neglected sensitive matters like public safety.”