An exciting start for these winners
dubai — Busy roads, school buses, uniforms — it all signals ‘back to school’ time.
While some children may be dreading waking up early again for school, others are grateful to have a place to learn. These are the chosen ones who received a scholarship from The Mohammed Bin Rashid Distinguished Students Programme, which aims to empower young Emiratis.
Khaleej Times spoke to the guardians of some of the scholarship pupils on the first day of school, at the Gems Wellington Academy.
Jumma Al Balooshi is older brother to two little sisters, in Grade 1 and 3, and he said the girls were ecstatic to get a place at the academy in Al Khail. “They will get a better education here and I heard that the teachers here are very qualified. My sisters were very happy to receive the scholar- ship. Education is very important and develops a person, so choosing the right school matters a lot,” Balooshi said.
“I didn’t get an opportunity to attend a great school like this when I was younger, but I’m very happy for my sisters. When you get an education in life, it will always stay with you. Money can come and go, but education will be with you forever.”
Moza, a parent, has two children in FS2 and in grade four who have both received the scholarship. She said her children will have to maintain their grades in order to retain it, which is one of the criteria in the scholarship programme.
“We couldn’t believe that we got the scholarship,” Moza said. “When I first heard on the radio that this kind of scholarship was being offered, I thought my children wouldn’t get it because of their low
My sisters will get a better education here. They are very happy to receive the scholarship. Education is very important and develops a person, so choosing the right school matters a lot.” Jumma Al Balooshi, brother of two scholarship winners
English proficiency, but we applied anyway. The process was very easy and within two days, the school called for assessment and my children were accepted the same day.
“Compared to the school they were in before, my kids are much happier with this one”
The executive principal and CEO of Gems Wellington Academy, Colin Callaghan, said that having Emirati students in the school reflects the community the school operates in. “We want to make sure that everything we do fits in with the local culture and are very pleased to have the children here,” he said.
Callaghan said that some of the children may face language barriers due to their lack of English proficiency, but the school has adapted different strategies to helps them. “The style of teaching that they will encounter here will be very different to what they’re used to. We very much encourage children to be independent learners and we will offer them plenty of language support,” he said.
“Our class teacher might have list of key words available at the desk, they might sit next to someone who is bilingual, our inclusion department might help with language – it all depends on the need of the students.”
sarwat@khaleejtimes.com