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Antiquated practice in IT hub

IMAGINE the plight of a parent of a boy studying in a private school in Dubai being told that their son was not registered with the school, when they applied for a transfer certificate. The parents were given this shocking bit of information when they approached the school management for the transfer certificate.

The Ministry of Education investigated the matter and discovered that it was not a lone case, and that the school had 'forgotten' to register the names of several other students!

The ministry tried to justify the blunder committed by the school stating that the work of registering students' names and mark sheets was entrusted to persons inexperienced in the job. The ministry also pointed out that the school was still following antiquated and manual methods of the registration process.

This brings us to the question as to why the school management continued with manual registration process besides not appointing persons with qualifications required to carry out such responsibilities? Surely the school management would be aware of something called a computer being used the world over for all kinds of jobs. And the irony is that such practices exist in Dubai, which is considered as an IT hub in the world.

The more important poser pertains to the tuition fee collected by the school. Part of the tuition fee is expected to be spent on equipment, which would further the educational process in the country, and not treat it as profit for the management.

This again brings us to the issue of inspection of private schools in the emirate, which is of paramount importance to ensure compliance with set standards. It is imperative that the ministry activates its Inspection Department and conducts inspection campaigns regularly to meet the high standards required in the field of education.

• UAE