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The undocumented status of their parents are costing scores of children the chance of education in the UAE.
Children are forced to drop out of school after their overstaying parents/sponsor fail to renew their residential visas and sponsor a family, and amnesty may restore their right for education.
While parents fight joblessness, poverty and other legal implications of living on the wrong side of the law in their host country, children suffer an uncertain academic future as they are denied their right to education for no fault of theirs.
Twenty-two-year-old Sinan and his 19-year-old sister Nihala from Kerala are two such victims.
Sinan stopped going to school when he was in Grade 5, and Nihala dropped out in Grade 2 from Our Own School in Sharjah, according to their father.
"Both my children had to discontinue their schooling in 2007 after I faced legal trouble related to my garment company, and went to jail for cases related to bounced cheques," their father Koyakutty, 52, told Khaleej Times.
He has several legal cases pending against him, which means he cannot renew his or his dependent's residency permits. He lives with his wife and two children in a shared apartment in Sharjah.
Koyakutty claimed he did not send his family back to India because he feared for their lives.
"I had taken loans from private lenders to salvage my business, and they were threatening to harm my family. They were criminals who were harassing me and I kept my family in the UAE because I knew no one will physically harm them here."
Sinan, whose childhood got caught up in his father's legal troubles and illegal status in the UAE, remembers the painful past, but said he was happy the worst days were behind them.
"It was a struggling time for the whole family. I was just nine when I had to stop schooling. I don't remember whether I missed going to school. It was a battle for day-to-day existence, and we somehow survived."
He said he and his sister made up for the lost school years by reading from the Internet and newspapers. "We are fluent in English and our general knowledge is also strong."
His artistic talent also came in handy for Sinan, who learned graphic designing online and is now taking up small assignments.
"Even without a formal education, I am an earning member and is supporting my family. I love painting in abstract and want to do a small exhibition. But the problem is the high cost of materials that I cannot afford."
For Koyakutty, the amnesty declared by the UAE government has come as a blessing.
"I am hopeful that my children can use the amnesty to modify their status and start a small business here. They have lived all their lives in the UAE and they consider this their home. I am sure we can have a fresh start," said Koyakutty, who has to settle legal cases to avail of the amnesty.
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