DUBAI - The emirate’s education body has said it will continue to monitor and follow up the situation at the Raffles International School (RIS), after inspecting facilities and the condition in the school last Wednesday.
The Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), which supervises Dubai’s private and public education, spotted some minor issues in the school after the inspection was conducted following complaints from parents of children in the school.
“Some classes, temporarily, have 27 students instead of 25, but this will be amended as new classrooms are to open soon. Outdoor play equipment was delayed but was installed during the Eid break,” stated a written statement from the KHDA.
The KHDA statement also attributed delays in distribution of some books, by the school, to pending approvals from the Ministry of Education.
The authority also noted that laboratories also had been delayed since they were being redesigned to meet the International Baccalaureate standards.
An inspection team went to the school after official complaints from parents that RIS lacked sufficient teachers, adequate teaching materials, a clean swimming pool and in some cases, textbooks.
Many even complained of crammed classrooms.
“KHDA would like to assure parents that it will follow up with the situation at the Raffles International School to ensure that all their concerns are addressed as soon as possible,” added the statement.
“The inspection should have had a fair representation of staff, parents and teachers to get an accurate picture. Parents and teachers are fearful to speak up against the administration,” said a parent, who asked not to be named. She added that a number of parents had already withdrawn children from the school, while many others were seeking places in other schools.
Preeti Kannan