German foreign minister visits school

UAE Minister for Education Dr Hanif Hassan and Dr Steinmeier witnessed a show, involving songs and a short play, presented by the students.

They met the first generation of a joint German-UAE education programme, as since September last year the school's kindergarden has had 11 Emirati children.

Under the programme, which is being co-ordinated with Abu Dhabi Educational Zone, the Emirati children have the same education as their German counterparts, although they also have extra German lessons to help them speak the required standard of the language. They also have classes in Arabic and Islam, school's deputy headmaster, Wolfgang Altendorfer-Munzinger, said.

"One student will even be ready to enter first grade this coming September," he added.

Peter Fuchs, Chairman of the school board, said: "The school is already operating at its capacity. In order to accommodate the rising demand and to improve our services, we are planning an extension building for the next year."

The German minister is in the country to discuss ways of boosting trade links and foreign affairs, especially how the European Union and other countries can deal with the threat of Iran's alleged potential nuclear capability.

Yesterday, he met the President, His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, after meeting the Foreign Minister, Shaikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, on Monday.