10 new affordable schools to be opened in Abu Dhabi in 3 years

Abu Dhabi - Fees structure of the schools haven't been revealed yet.

Abu Dhabi will have 10 new affordable private schools during the next three years, the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (Adek) has announced.
The new schools will be opened in various areas of the emirate, but details and the fees structure of the schools haven't been revealed yet.
Adek officials made the announcement at the Abu Dhabi Private Schools Annual Forum on Thursday. The event attracted 450 educators including principals and school leaders from diverse private schools in the emirate, during which a number of projects and initiatives in the private school sector were discussed.
Speaking at the forum, Dr Ali Al Nuaimi, chairman of Adek, said: "Education is the cornerstone of the UAE's national development process and the private education system is a vital source of support for the government's aspirations towards contributing to the educational process in the nation through the provision of high quality educational programmes, while supporting the economic structure of the country."
Al Nuaimi noted that Adek is willing to provide investors and school owners with land plots or public school buildings in order to provide diverse educational opportunities for students at an affordable fee.
"Ten new affordable schools are due to open in the next three years as part of Adek's private schools affordable fee structure," said Al Nuaimi.
The Abu Dhabi Executive Committee, in June this year, approved a proposal to establish new schools, in partnership with the private sector, with annual fees ranging between Dh20,000 and Dh30,000.
The new model that was proposed by Adek is part of the Abu Dhabi Development Accelerators Programmes, launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.
According to authorities, the initiative entails a new model for private schools, based on the accredited curricula and standard. The new model is expected to contribute in raising education capacity, with very reasonable expenses for citizens and residents.
This public-private partnership pilot project for the new model was launched in the current academic year.
Commenting on the private schools forum, Sara Musallam, acting executive director of Adek's licensing sector, said that the forum creates an important platform for exchanging ideas and opinions amongst education experts, schools, entities and students. It is also disseminating Aek's direction towards encouraging transparency, exchange of best practices and information sharing, with emphasis on a school's pivotal role in increasing innovation and creativity among students.
As part of Adek's efforts to spread knowledge and best practices, a number of private schools showcased their experience and findings on teaching Arabic language, key strategies of school improvement, schools curriculum and methods of learning, school leadership and governance, professional development in schools and the My Identity programme implementation. 
Various innovative STEM related student projects and activities were also showcased at the forum.
ismail@khaleejtimes.com

• Abu Dhabi