10 new community schools to come up in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi - The opening up of the new schools will bring the total number of community schools in the emirate to 30.

Ten new community schools will be built in Abu Dhabi over the next two years as part of developing children's learning and behavioural skills, and promoting their leisure time activities, according to the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (Adek).
Adek made the announcement on Sunday on the sidelines of the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with six government departments to expand the community schools project.

Press conference for the opening up of new community schools in Abu Dhabi.- Supplied photo
The opening up of the new schools will bring the total number of community schools in the emirate to 30.
The current phase of community schools covers 20 schools across Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Al Dhafra regions, in which nine schools are located in Abu Dhabi, six in Al Dhafra Region and five in Al Ain region. All of these are equipped with top-notch resources, recreational equipment and facilities.
The MoUs were signed between Adek and the department of health (DoH), department of urban planning and municipality, department of community development (DCD), Abu Dhabi Police, the Department of Culture and Tourism, and Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019.
The agreements are aimed at providing new programmes and activities to develop the community schools project and optimise the use of school infrastructures and facilities.
Nasser Khamis, Adek's extra-curricular activities section manager, said five of the new schools will be opened in January 2019, and another five schools during the academic year 2019-2020. The schools will deliver services and programmes that include sports, social and cultural activities.
"We are keen to study programmes and activities that benefit the community and meet their needs before opening any community school in an area," said Khamis.
Dr Ali Al Nuaimi, Chairman of Adek, said that a steering committee, consisting of strategic stakeholders and chaired by Adek, will be formed to oversee and develop community schools strategy and action plans.
"The community school activities and programmes help children develop their skills and capabilities and enable parents to follow up their children's progress. Community schools will develop programmes that support people of determination and talents in various fields," said Al Nuaimi.
"We aim to turn community schools into cultural and social hubs as these schools help build healthier community ties through exploring and nurturing talents and promoting personal skills and family interaction."
Dr Yousif Al Sheryani, Adek's undersecretary, said: "Today's MoUs provide new and exciting opportunities for students, teachers, parents and the community at large, who will not only become part of an intellectual social and cultural hub, but will also be given the opportunity to select activities and projects they are passionate about. The move will increase engagement amongst community members, while bridging the gap between entities, thus providing learning experiences that will further elevate the UAE's national identity, culture and heritage."
Sheikh Abdulla bin Mohamed Al Hamed, chairman of the Department of Health (DoH), said: "The DoH is proud to work alongside Adek to leverage the vital role of schools as a key platform to raise awareness and educate students on the tenets of a healthy lifestyle."
ismail@khaleejtimes.com 

• Abu Dhabi