Ministry asks schools to buy books online

All private schools purchase Islamic studies and geography books provided by the MoE, while a limited number of schools follow the MoE curriculum.

Over 450 private schools across the UAE will benefit from a new website launched by the Ministry of Education (MoE). The website, www.uaeschoolbooks.com, allows schools to order textbooks and study material through a much faster and more efficient process.

All private schools purchase Islamic studies and geography books provided by the MoE, while a limited number of schools follow the MoE curriculum. These private schools together order more than three million books from the MoE every year, which are later sold to students from school bookstores.

“The E-Gate Project is part of the MoE’s efforts to make use of modern technologies and smart tools to improve the quality of its services,” said Marwan Al Sawalih, Undersecretary of the MoE.

Previously, schools relied on e-mail to place orders for new books from the ministry. The website now provides schools with a more streamlined system to review and order. It also features comprehensive information about books — including prices and available quantities — which can help school officials share much needed information with parents, students and teachers.

Each school is provided with a user ID and password to log onto the website. Schools can then log in and select the quantity of books required. Once an order is placed, the school is asked for a mode of payment, which can be through a cheque, bank transfer or payment on delivery. Schools are then asked to upload their payment receipt and select a book collection date.

Some 250 schools have already used the new system to order books, with more expected to join over the next week. The last day to order books from the ministry has been set at June 30. The project was launched in collaboration with the Dubai Media Incorporated on Sunday at the ministry’s headquarter in Al Qusais.

Faisal bin Haider, Executive Director, Printing and Distribution, Dubai Media Incorporated, said, “The E-Gate programme is a leap forward in the development of logistics solutions in book ordering for private schools. This also represents the beginning of the development of this sector resulting in more productivity and efficiency as compared to how books were traditionally ordered before. The main objective of this new initiative is to best serve the teaching and education segment of the UAE.”

muaz@khaleejtimes.com