‘If a school is unsuitable, it should be so for all students’

Ali Al Suwaidi, Emirati father of three students in Al Resalah Private School of Science, said he is confused by the order to not enrol only Emirati students to the 47 schools identified as weak.

“What is the difference between my children and the rest? If they believe a school is unsuitable, it should be unsuitable for all, not only for Emirati students,” he said.

“If any school in the country is weak and does not provide students with good quality education ... it should be shut down.”

Majid Al Haj, an Emirati, said his son is moving into grade 12 in Al Wahda Private School in Sharjah.

“I was shocked when I saw the list. It’s a big problem to find another school for my son. He has been enrolled in this school from grade 1 and he is moving now to grade 12. The decision also came at a time when all schools are closed for vacation and it is difficult to find another one,” he said. “It is a strange action from the Ministry of Education, but the decision of the Sharjah Ruler has relieved us.”

Hanan Razzaq’s daughter is moving into grade 3 at the Bloomington Academy Private School. She said her daughter is doing well in the school and she has not noticed any negligence by the staff.

She said that they “contacted the principal to know why the school was ranked a weak performer but she herself had no idea why they obtained this rating”.