(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) The closure of Indian Islahi Islamic School will displace over 1,400 students and will especially affect the more than 100 students in Grade 11.
Panic gripped parents as the closure of the Indian Islahi Islamic School draws near with no solution being offered to them by education officials
The Abu Dhabi Education Council (Adec) announced in July the closure of the school in March for not operating in a purpose-built facility. The decision was part of an overall plan by Adec to close all villa schools by 2015
Khaleej Times reported in September that Adec has been "working on a solution for students" and that the Indian Embassy is also "looking for a solution". However, with just a month and a half to go before the academic year ends, parents are yet to receive word on what the solution may be
The closure of the Indian school will displace over 1,400 students and will especially affect the more than 100 students in Grade 11, who are supposed to be focussing on preparing for their CBSE national examination next year
"The Grade 11 going to Grade 12 students are the most affected. We cannot take admission elsewhere, both here and in India, and no school in India will take admission for Grade 12," lamented Ramesh Gopal whose daughter is in Grade 11
Sultan L.S., another parent, said he approached the Abu Dhabi Indian School and Sunrise English Private School, immediately after learning of the closure but was told that they are full and cannot accommodate other students
"I don't have any other option. If it's lower class, we can manage, but with the last two years, they need to settle in the school and prepare for their CBSE exam. They have to study from day one they start Grade 12," L.S. said
L.S. was among the parents who met with Adec officials in September. "They said solutions will be announced in December, there's no need to panic, we will take care of the students, we are also discussing with investors. We were waiting for good news in December but two weeks ago, some parents were told to find a solution themselves and not to wait for this. It is not good that they are giving uncertain answers," he stated
Jayakumar N.S.'s daughter has just started with the Indian Islahi this academic year having completed Grade 10 at Sherwood Academy, which has also closed down
"We don't know where our children will go... we tried but nobody will take them," he said. He noted that time is running out for them as beginning of March will be the final exam and classes will be closed thereafter and then the students will immediately start the next academic year in April
"It is important that students take the same subjects as Grade 12 is a continuation of Grade 11. The children will face problem if they don't. Grade 12 is critical for our children, it is the time when school will make an effort to get maximum grades for them. This is a big problem for my daughter... it will affect her career. I don't know what to do now, we don't have an answer
"We asked Adec to extend by one year but they refused to do that. At least if they continue, the better for us. They have to help us now," N.S. appealed
An e-mail response received by one parent from Adec on Tuesday said that "Adec has reached a (primary) solution". more information will be released soon"
Khaleej Times contacted the new Indian Ambassador to the UAE, T.P. Seetharam, regarding the students' situation. He said he is aware of the issue and that his office is "continuing to pursue a solution" for them
"I have (already) requested a meeting with Adec," he said
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