Dubai, UAE, January 18, 2008 - The Dubai School Agency (DSA), the first agency of the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), confirms that all schools will reopen as usual tomorrow (Sunday Jan 20, 2008). This announcement is based on a process of extensive consultation and evaluation which has taken place between the DSA and the schools since the storms began and subsequently.
The excessive rains that lashed the country last week created hazardous transportation conditions and caused damage in many schools across the country, forcing the Ministry of Education and KHDA to close schools in Dubai. The Ministry also closed school in Sharjah and the Northern Emirates. In both cases, this measure was taken to ensure the safety of students and allow the required maintenance work to take place at schools.
DSA has been communicating with all public and private schools to assess the damage done by the record-breaking rain. DSA is committed to the principle that school children have a safe and healthy environment when they return tomorrow. All schools have confirmed that they will be back to ‘business as usual’ mode when the children return after the short break.
Schools and the DSA have been working non stop to complete the maintenance process in the public schools in order to restore safe and dry conditions for all children. Indications to date are that nearly a quarter of the schools suffered damage or infiltration ranging from minor to more serious.
Fatma Al Marri, CEO of the DSA said, “DSA has followed up with all schools through Administrative Services Unit (ASU) to check on the maintenance process with the administrators of all the schools and the concerned government agencies to execute the directives of HH Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE, Ruler of Dubai. The directives stated the necessity of preparing the schools to welcome and take in the student tomorrow.”
“The reports we have confirm that most of the schools in Dubai are already set to resume work tomorrow and maintenance teams are continuing their final mopping-up operations. Preventive maintenance is also underway to ensure against any leakage in case of severe rain in the future,” she added
“We will work closely with the school to make up for the classes that the students have missed due to the extraordinary couple of days the UAE went through lately.” she concluded.