Abu Dhabi, UAE: While schools are currently in the middle of their academic year, many in the Filipino community are already nervous about getting admissions for their children during the new school year starting in August.
It may be recalled that Gulf News had reported on August 12, 2011 that the Philippine National School (PNS) and the Pisco Private School were told by the Abu Dhabi Education Council (ADEC) to downsize their pupil numbers ahead of the 2011/2012 academic year. They are among 43 villa schools that are being phased out by the council over health and safety concerns.
Assistance
Pupils from the affected schools were later transferred to the 21st Century School, a purpose-built government school that follows the US-Philippine curricula, and the Pisco Private School’s new Musaffah campus.
“My daughter, who is in Grade 2, is happy because now the PNS is not as crowded; also, my 13-year-old daughter, despite starting her academic year in November, is also content, even though she was among those who had to transfer to Pisco’s new premises,” Alma Delacerna, a lawyer at a private corporation, said. Donde Cotanda, a sales executive, agreed. “My son has told me that things are much calmer now…but when parents were transferring their children, there were concerns because Pisco and 21st Century [School] had slight difficulty accepting new pupils,” Donde, whose son is a Grade 6 pupil at PNS, said.
Rising costs
However, rising tuition costs and the difficulty in finding seats in one of the capital’s three Filipino schools is forcing many parents to consider sending their children back home.
“While things had worked out for this academic year, I’m seriously considering sending my elder daughter back home to continue her studies because of rising tuition costs; but first I have to find someone I trust to look after her there,” Alma said.
Although Donde indicated that he isn’t considering removing his son from school, he was sympathetic to his compatriots left to make a difficult choice.
“We’re lucky that places for our children are secure compared to those who have moved to Abu Dhabi within the last two years and are suffering because they can’t enrol their children in Filipino schools,” he said.
(C) Gulfnews
Translate this page |
I am trying to log into my online class and there is no connection, it continues... .........................................................
we are lucky parents that could find a such a nice and lovely place for our chil... .........................................................
may i requst you to enqure about the washroom and bathroom cleanliness in INDIAN... .........................................................
I wanted to ask if Ibn Sina Medical collge, Jeddah provides scholarship for non-... .........................................................
Print this page
