Private academy opens on govt school campus in Muroor

ABU DHABI — Students who enrolled at the 21st Century Private Academy in Muroor turned up early on Sunday to attend the orientation of the newly-opened school.

By Olivia Olarte

Published: Tue 21 Sep 2010, 9:48 AM

Last updated: Mon 6 Apr 2015, 3:09 AM

Many parents took the day off to be with their children, as they got to know their school, teachers and classmates.

The students, majority of them Filipinos, previously attended the closed down Pioneers International Private School (PIPS). Emily Cruz, whose two kids went to the Philippine National School (PNS) said she has transferred her children due to better facilities at the government building.

“It is better here, and the school follows the American curriculum,” said Marichu Lerin whose eight-year old son was a former PNS student. “With the villa schools closing down soon, I want to make sure that my kids are secure,” said Jasmine Mauricio. “They started with PNS in grades 3 and 4 last year and I don’t want to transfer them again.” Besides, the school is very accommodating, they are considerate with the tuition fee payment and we are not required to buy the uniform from them. We can get it done outside,” she added.

Egyptian Abdallah Wael, a grade 7 student was excited about moving to the academy. “We’d like to move here as my previous school was small and the English (teaching) was not very good,” said Abdallah.

Permata Teo from Indonesia said her son attended the PIPS and followed his classmates to the 21^st Century school. “I want him to be here because his friends are here,” she said.

Kasey Conrad, education consultant and policy specialist at the Universal Future Education (UFE) that manages the 21^st Century Private Academy, said in addition to Filipinos, the academy has students from Japan, Malaysia, Indonesia, China,Yemen, Lebanon, Syria and Egypt.

“We also have teachers from Philippines, Nepal, India, Pakistan, South Africa and we are awaiting confirmation from teachers from Canada and New Zealand,” she added.

“We’re so thrilled with the opening of the school. We were asked to open the school in six weeks and here it is ... a piece of the UAE education history,” said Conrad. —olivia@khaleejtimes.com