Pupils stuck at home as school fails to open

Parents angered by short notice as handover is late

SHARJAH // Parents are frustrated by a two- week delay to the start of the year at a girls’ school, caused by the late handover of a new building.

National Charity Private School for Girls in Sharjah told parents on Wednesday the school would not be opened in time for the new academic year, leaving many frantically trying to arrange care for their children.

Hussain Al Omari said the timing of the text message gave parents very little notice.

“The school should have given us more time,” said Mr Al Omari, a Yemeni father of two. “Now we have to figure out where to place them until classes resume.”

Parents were told the school, in Al Nasirya, should open after Eid Al Adha, which is expected to fall on September 11.

“We are working hard to complete the building and make it ready for pupils as soon as possible,” said the principal, Itidal Sahweil.

The old school building is to be demolished after being deemed unfit for classes. Salesman Mohammed Atiya went to the school yesterday to see about moving his daughter elsewhere. “We have been shocked about the delay,” said Mr Atiya, an Egyptian. “I came here today to try to transfer my daughter to a school in Ajman. It’s better for her and me, instead of waiting for the school to open.

“She will have to stay home with her mother until I either get a transfer approved or the school opens again.”

Yesterday, 1,036,996 pupils started their new academic year, the Ministry of Education said.