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The Abu Dhabi Education Council (Adec) has announced suspension of classes at all schools in the emirate, including Al Ain, on Wednesday, March 9, due to weather conditions and to ensure safety of students.

The announcement was made by Dr. Ali Rashid Al Nuaimi, Director-General of Adec, who attributed the decision to the effects of the low pressure, currently experienced in the UAE and as a measure to ensure students' safety.

Meanwhile, some private schools in Dubai have informed their parent community of early shut down due to the bad weather.

Star International school in Al Twar, Kings school Al Barsha and Jebel Ali School have sent out messages about early closure.

Dubai British School, Oasis School, Dubai English Speaking School (Oud Mehta), Dubai English Speaking School (DIAC), Al Salam Private School, Jebel Ali Primary School (both branches), Star International School-Mirdif and Star international School-Al Twar have announced early closure.

“Due to the bad weather, the school is closing at 12noon. School buses will leave at 12noon,” reads the advisory from Star International. The school advised parents who pick up their children to be at the school at the same time.

Kings Nad Al Sheba issued a note to parents, stating, “The roads around the school are beginning to get very bad please could you come and pick your child up as soon as possible”.

Gems Wellington International School in Al Sufouh, Gems Metropole in Motor City, Dubai English Speaking School (DESS) and Dubai English Speaking College (DESC) have also announced school closures.

In a series of tweets, DESS said: “Urgent Notice: The weather is not improving and the roads are getting worse. Safety of students and staff is our prime concern. Therefore we will be closing both DESS and DESC.”

Some schools are letting parents pick up their children early if they wish to. Emirates International School-Meadows, in a circular to the parents, said: “If you wish to collect your child/ren from school early, or any time in the school day so to avoid road congestion or unsafe driving conditions then you are free to do so.”

Dubai American Academy also issued a note that the school will remain functional today, but if parents wish to take their children home early they could do so.

Gems Jumeriah Primary School will close at usual time, but a note to parents says all after-school activities will remain cancelled today, and children can be picked up at 2.15pm.

KHDA had issued a statement on Wednesday that the decision to close schools will lie with the parents.

Amal Belhasa, Chief of Compliance & Resolution Commission at Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), said, “Schools can decide to close early in response to weather conditions and other operational issues prevailing on a particular day. KHDA trusts schools to make up for lost time and lessons in the subsequent days or weeks.”

Parents have advised to check with their child’s schools about the timings for today.

Meanwhile, some Sharjah schools have also announced early closure.

Australian International School Sharjah and Delhi Private School Sharjah have announced their decision. DPS asked parents to pick their children up at 11.30am.

In a tweet, AIS said, “Due to the current weather conditions we will finish school at 1 pm today to allow students to travel home safely.”

School kids caught in Dubai traffic jam for hours

Schools buses have been caught in traffic jam for hours even though some of the schools closed earlier today.

“My child’s school closed earlier today at 1.30pm, but till now she hasn’t reached home. It is just a 10 minute journey,” VB, a resident of Discovery Gardens, said.

Another parent Priya Kumar said, “My child used to reach home by 2 pm, but it is more than 90 minutes that she is in the bus. The driver said he is not sure when they will reach.”
Page last updated 31 December 2019
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