DUBAI // The bell will ring for a final time at the emirate’s only “outstanding” American curriculum school, Gems Education says.
In September, staff and pupils at the Dubai American Academy in Barsha will be moved to the Gems Nations Academy in the same neighbourhood.
The merger of Gems’ two flagship Dubai schools will lead to the creation of Dubai American Academy – Nations. DAA has been open for almost 20 years, while the newer and larger GNA campus opened in September 2016.
Gems said the move was in response to requests from parents for improved facilities at DAA.
“We recognise that DAA families have asked for upgrades to infrastructure and facilities, while families at GNA have asked for a more extensive offering. This integration will allow for the needs of both families to be met,” said Dino Varkey, chief executive officer, Gems Education.
“We have created a partnership which will benefit both GNA and DAA as the two schools integrate to produce an institution which we believe will go beyond outstanding. DAA’s outstanding heritage blended with the future focus that GNA has, will accelerate the growth and development of all our students and allow us to fulfil our aspirations quicker.”
Gems said the new campus will offer more in terms of courses, specialist teaching, enhanced college counselling advice, sports and extra curricular activities with a focus on robotics, coding and technology.
Tuition fees for pupils moving from DAA to the new school will continue to follow DAA’s structure. Gems said an increase of 4.8 per cent, in line with Dubai’s education regulator the Knowledge and Human Development Authority’s guidelines for an “outstanding” school, is expected. The increase is subject to approval by the KHDA.
DAA’s current fees start from Dh21,781, reaching up to Dh80,640. With the new structure, fees for each school year could rise by than Dh2,000.
GNA’s current fees start from Dh84,000 up to Dh124,000.
The merger of the two schools will not result in job losses, Gems said.
“All staff from both schools will be retained. No one will lose their job because of the move and the change of campus will have no effect on salary changes,” said Gems.
“The DAA curriculum continues to be the only American curriculum offering rated as ‘outstanding’ by the KHDA. DAA will continue to offer the same curriculum, but it will infuse the Nations’ future focused pedagogy in innovation, robotics and coding to take the school beyond outstanding.”
One change staff and pupils can expect is a new headteacher with GNA’s Tom Farquhar set to retire at the end of the academic year. Tammy Murphy will take over leadership of the new school.
“Tom Farquhar has taken the decision to return to retirement at the end of this academic year. Tom has been with us for over three years and his tireless enthusiasm and passion has been greatly appreciated by the team here at Gems. We thank Tom for all that he has done here at Nations,” said Mr Varkey.
Gems said it is in negotiations with the owner of the land DAA occupies to decide the future of the site.
newsdesk@thenational.ae
