3,300 applicants, 200 seats

It’s a mad rush for admissions at the Indian High School in Dubai (IHS). More than 3,300 students are looking to secure an admission at the school’s kindergarten which only has 200 odd seats on offer.

Ashok Kumar, CEO of the Indian High School Group said: “The numbers are growing year on year and this year we have had an even bigger number of students who have registered.”

It will all come down to luck for the students as their selection will be entirely based on luck. A total of 200 students will be drawn from the admission ballot on Friday, November 16.

Some will get through, others will have to knock on the doors of other schools.

Abeer Jibin is hopeful to get her three-year-old daughter join the school this year. She says her decision to look for an admission at IHS was based on feedback from friends and colleagues.

“Affordability is an important factor when selecting the school. I have heard a lot of positive reviews about the school and many of my colleagues have also recommended the school for my daughter,” said Abeer.

Making use of the school’s online registration facility, she noted that the procedure was smooth and easy.

Another parent Asma Shafi also had similar views. “A school should have good activities and a reputation. IHS has a very affordable fee structure and for many middle class families, the options are really limited as other schools have exorbitant fee structures.”

Asma herself is a former student of the school and she wants her three-year-old daughter Zara to go to the same school.

“My parents also had to go through the lot system for my admission in the 90s. Today, it is a lot easier for parents to register their children as they have to fill an online form and not wait in long queues.”

She also advised school authorities to consider creating a quota for the children of school alumni.

“It would be nice if the school acknowledges its alumni and their children under a special quota where they are also given a priority.”

The IHS Group also has a campus in Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO) which offers an international curriculum (CBSE-i). With 300 seats at the Indian International School in DSO, admission to the school is granted on a first-come-first serve basis.

Most parents prefer to opt for the junior campus in Garhoud because of its affordability and reputation. The senior school was rated ‘Outstanding’ by the Dubai School Inspection Bureau (DSIB) in the latest school inspection report.

muaz@khaleejtimes.com