Adec branching out to other emirates

The Abu Dhabi Education Council (Adec) is venturing out of the emirate for the first time with the establishment of a new council-supervised school in Ras Al Khaimah.

According to the Adec, the construction of the new school in the Athan area is in line with the directives given this year by General Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces and Chairman of the Adec.

Construction work started in mid-June and the first phase, which includes the Kindergarten and Cycle 1 (Grades 1-5) facilities, is expected to be completed by January next year and will immediately start accepting students for the 2013-2014 academic year.

The second phase, which comprises Cycle 2 (Grades 6-9) and Cycle 3 (Grades 10-12), is scheduled to finish by 2016. Once completed, the school can accommodate over a thousand students.

Designed with sustainability features, including economical air-conditioning units and water supply facilities, insulation, shading, use of daylight, control of air quality and temperature in indoor areas, the school in Ras Al Khaimah is the first and only one so far that the Adec is building outside Abu Dhabi emirate.

The undertaking, according to the council, is meant to “propagate the Adec’s successful model and foster cooperation and collaboration with other areas of (the) UAE,” Dr Mugheer Khamis Al Khaili, Director-General of the Adec, said during a visit to Ras Al Khaimah recently.

“Thanks to the limitless support in education by (the) Abu Dhabi Crown Prince, the new school will provide Athan students with access to quality education in accordance with the highest standards and criteria in order to enable them to become future leaders,” he said.

The Athan school is also meant to give students and school staff with encouraging learning environment that meets health and security requirements, according to Hamad Al Dhaheri, Adec’s Executive Director of Private Schools and Quality Assurance and Manager of Infrastructure and Facilities.

“The school will include labs and ICT (information, communication and technology), music and art rooms, in addition to (swimming) pools, libraries, sports room, auditorium and other facilities that can be used by the community after school hours. All learning spaces will have wireless Internet access,” Al Dhaheri added.

10-year strategic plan

The Adec in 2009 launched its 10-year strategic plan to reform and transform the public education system in Abu Dhabi emirate to produce graduates who are skilled, ready to compete in an international market and can take on leadership roles in line with the Abu Dhabi’s vision for a diversified and knowledge-based economy.

Part of the comprehensive plan is the implementation of the new school model that would provide students with attractive, efficient and sustainable learning environment as well as access to quality education for all children.

For this objective, the Adec has opened 23 new schools across the emirate last academic year. It has also received approval this year from the Abu Dhabi Executive Council to build 24 green schools across the remote areas of Abu Dhabi and Al Ain. Delivery of the new schools will be done in phases.

By 2018, the council plans to build 100 schools and replace ageing schools with modern and sustainable school buildings across the emirate.

“All new schools (will) conform to the sustainability system in order to ensure the optimal use of energy and water resources... preserve the environment through minimising print and waste. No materials that could cause harm to students, staff or the environment (will be) used. Natural daylight and latest cooling systems (will) enhance the school environment and reduce energy consumption,” Dr Al Khaili said.

olivia@khaleejtimes.com