New UAE schools take in displaced Pinoy pupils

Parents of Filipino students displaced by the closure of six villa schools in the United Arab Emirates finally got some relief after registration started for new private schools there. The new private schools were in Muroor and Baniyas, according to a report on the UAE news site Khaleej Times. As of Wednesday, more than 600 students have registered to attend the new Abu Dhabi Philippine Academy in Muroor — previously the 6th of August School — for the 2010-2011 academic year, which will begin in September. The new private school opened registration on August 4. According to Kasey Conrad of the Universal Future Education (UFE), registration for the UFE Private Academy in Baniyas — previously Saad bin Obaidah School — started two days ago and has around 100 enrollees. UFE is a school management and consulting firm based in Abu Dhabi that won the bid to operate the two new private schools using government purpose-built structures. “Around 80 percent of those previously attending the Pioneers International Private School have already enrolled, and 80 percent of teachers may be taken in by the new school," said Dr. Daniel Sistona, former principal of the Pioneers School. Conrad said an American principal will head the Philippine Academy while Sistona will join the school as the vice-principal. Leila Quiambao, whose two children were previously attending Pioneers, said she enrolled her Grade 8 and Grade 10 children last week. “I can now breathe easily knowing that my kids will attend school this coming school year. I am happy with the school location, the American teachers, and the fees are lower than from what I paid last school year," she said. Tuition for the students moving from the closed villa schools will range from Dh3,000 to Dh5,400 while for new enrollees it is higher at Dh6,400, excluding bus transportation, uniform and books. The Philippine Academy will offer English-language curriculum from Kindergarten to Grade 12, with supplementary Philippine language and cultural studies subjects. It can take in as many as 1,323 students. On the other hand, the UFE Academy will provide an Arabic-language Ministry of Education curriculum with a capacity to accept 1,089 students. UFE was selected by the Abu Dhabi Education Council out of 15 contenders based on their technical competence, sound financial backing and capability to build permanent school facilities within three years. Classes will start after Eid, or around September 13.—JMA/JV, GMANews.TV