Fujairah residents flag long school hours and child allowances as main issues ahead of FNC election

Emiratis are reaching out to Federal National Council election candidates to see what they intend to do about their concerns, if elected.

Naseem Qader, 50, from Fujairah, said her home is no longer fit for purpose and that she has been waiting for a government home for 10 years for herself and her family. Pawan Singh / The National

FUJAIRAH // Residents have highlighted education, housing and government allowances as the key issues that they would like FNC candidates to address during the election campaign.

Some complained that the child allowance was not sufficient as cost of living is rising fast.

The Government gives parents Dh600 a month for each Emirati child.

Resident Sultan Al Kindi, 30, said: “This is not enough, especially these days. Everything is becoming more expensive and children’s demands have changed.

“I have five kids between 5 and 7 and each one of them has his own demands. I suggest either they lock prices of more items or they give us at least Dh1,000 for each child.

“This is something I’m hoping that the FNC members will work on.”

› Ahead of the FNC election day on October 3, The National’s reporters are travelling across the seven emirates to speak to Emiratis and find out the issues that affect them – and what they expect from members of a new Federal National Council.

Another major concern was schooling, with many parents saying that a long day of school followed by two to three hours of homework is too much work for children. Schools in Fujairah generally start at 8am and finish at 3pm.

Talal Al Zaabi, a 35-year-old Emirati, said school timings affected his whole family. “My kids are still young, the older one is five years old, but I can see how my brother’s kids are suffering with the late school hours,” he said.

“They don’t have time to spend with the family because of the homework load, especially if they are enrolled in a public school.”

Mr Al Zaabi added that there is a belief that there is less homework at private schools, as he asked potential FNC members to deal with the issue.

Amal Al Malahi, an Emirati mother of three, shared his concerns, adding that the family can no longer have lunch together as the children come home too late.

“My older son arrives at about 4pm and this had affected us all. We used to have lunch together but not anymore,” said Ms Al Malahi, 31. “He arrives tired and unwilling to do anything, not even his homework. The FNC members should consider this and find a solution.”

Nasem Qader, 50, raised housing as an issue for potential FNC members to tackle. She said her home is no longer fit for purpose and that she has been waiting for a government home for 10 years.

“I applied for a new house in 2005 and, until now, I only got promises,” she said.

“I have lived here for 35 years. Six of my children got married and three of them are living with us, plus my three unmarried kids.

“The house needs serious repair, everything is falling apart and we are still waiting.”

Two FNC candidates were on hand to respond to residents’ concerns.

Naser Al Yamahi, a Ministry of Foreign Affairs employee and a 42-year-old engineering student, said: “Reducing the school hours for the sake of the children and their teachers is part of my current agenda, plus creating an education plan that suits the community.

“Seeking a right balance between earnings and expenses is also something I look forward to negotiating if I have the chance to be part of the FNC.”

Naser Aal Ali, another candidate from Fujairah, said that all these issues had been discussed during past FNC committee meetings and the public should be more aware of the role the FNC plays.

“I stress the fact that people should be more aware and enlightened on many things and among them the role of the FNC members and what topics they discuss during their sessions,” said Mr Aal Ali, a 35-year-old network engineer.

“Media and social centres should work harder on raising the public awareness of such things.”