Parents in uproar after learning Indian school in Abu Dhabi is to close

The Abu Dhabi Education Council (Adec) announced a few days ago that the Indian Islahi Islamic School, which has 1,400 pupils, would close permanently on April 1. Christopher Pike / The National

ABU DHABI // Parents have told of their disappointment at news that the Indian Islahi Islamic School will close permanently on April 1.

They heard in July that the Indian school would be moving out of its existing villa, but the Abu Dhabi Education Council (Adec) announced a few days ago that the school of 1,400 pupils would close permanently.

Adec was not available to comment.

“We’re panicking because we don’t know what to do,” said Shenooja Niazudeen, a mother of two. “We all have to rush now and most schools are full so it’s very difficult on us.”

The schools regulator began its clampdown on villa schools in 2008, when there were 72, for safety reasons.

“It was really shocking because we just got the notice,” said John Joseph, whose 16-year-old son had attended the school for one term.

“I’m really not happy about this because I paid next term’s fee on Wednesday and got the notice on Thursday.”

Tuition fees at other schools are almost double, parents said.

“I managed to find him a seat at the Sunrise English Private School in Mussaffah,” Mr Joseph said. “But I pay Dh2,800 a term here and Dh4,600 there.

“We live in the city so my son is going to travel at least an hour on the bus. It will be more of a commute but this was my only choice.”

For parents with younger children, changing the school routine will be even more challenging.

“Some schools are shifting to Mussaffah, Khalifa City and Baniyas,” said Ms Niazudeen, whose children are eight and five.

“It’s too far. They’ll have to wake up at 5am to get ready and they won’t be back home until at least 3.30pm.

“And we live in the city, we can’t change apartments every year because of this. Middle-class families can’t afford this.”

For Abdul Mohammed’s 16-year-old daughter, yesterday was her last day at the school.

“We just moved her from Our Own English High School and now we have to move her again to the Sunrise School in Mussaffah,” Mr Mohammed said.

“As soon as I received the notice a few days ago, I applied to three schools and it was the only one that had space.”

Although the school will close at the end of the Indian academic year on March 31, he said shifting students in Year 12 could prove difficult, so it was better to move now.

“She’s only been here for three months,” Mr Mohammed said.

With 1,400 pupils and hundreds of teachers and staff at the school, the principal said he would offer as much support as he could.

“It’s painful for me to close the school down,” said Mohsin Kattayat. “It came as a shock to me.”

Mr Kattayat said a few pupils had already left the school and transfer certificates were being handed out to parents.

Adec’s memo to parents urged them to arrange with the school as soon as possible for the necessary documents to transfer their child to another private school and to pay any outstanding fees.

Adec also provided parents with a list of private schools in Abu Dhabi, detailing curriculums, locations and contact details.