Dubai: The Education Ministry is investigating a public school principal who falsely claimed that school infrastructure is worn out and is putting the lives of 600 female pupils in danger.
The school principal was recently appointed to Ashbeliya School at the beginning of this academic year by the Sharjah Education Zone. She had made the claims to Arabic newspapers and became a major concern to officials at both the Education Ministry and Education Council.
The principal was quoted as saying that bricks were falling off the wall in some resource rooms, which is threatening the pupils' safety. She was also quoted as saying the water leakage has led to the growth of moss. However, the Education Ministry denies these claims.
Following the investigation by the ministry, it was evident that the school building was a safe environment and none of the allegations stated in the newspapers was true.
According to Rashid Al Nu'ami, Director General of the Ministry of Education (MOE), "The claims stated in these two newspapers are incorrect. I have personally ordered the school infrastructure department at MOE and Ministry of Public Works to form a committee to investigate the matter to ensure the safety of the pupils and academic staff. I did not involve the education council so that the investigation will be completely objective and neutral."
Based on the detailed investigation, Al Nu'ami said that not a single claim mentioned in the newspaper and which is attributed to the principal is true. The matter, as he said, has been transferred to the legal department at MOE. "We respect the cooperation and communication between schools and the media but we also request objectivity," he said.
The principal denied the claims stated in the two newspapers adding she has never met or spoken to the reporter of one of the accused newspapers. She said the reporter of the other newspaper came to the school for a personal visit with one of the parents.
Upon reading the reports in these two newspapers, the principal said she immediately informed officials at the Sharjah Education Council denying the claims attributed to her about the school's condition adding she is ready to undergo an investigation.
By Siham Al Najami, Staff Reporter