Officials at some of the Indian and Pakistani schools in Dubai that are scheduled to be inspected next month say they will support the assessments, as long as their resources are taken into account. The 26 schools, which generally have lower fees than other private schools, were not included in the first round of inspections last year because they operate on a different calendar, with the term beginning in April.
"I think this inspection has made us look within and that's a good thing," said Rashmi Nandkeolyar, the principal of the Delhi Private School. "If all educational standards rise, it's good for us as a school and for our children." Ms Nandkeolyar said officials at the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) had assured her that Indian nationals would be on the inspection team, which led her to believe fee structures would be considered.
Mirza Ghalib, the principal of the Central School, where annual fees range from Dh2,500 (US$680) to Dh4,400, said he was not concerned that his school, which does not have a swimming pool or other facilities found in international schools with higher fees, would be downgraded. "The facilities are not a big thing for them," he said. "Teaching is the big thing." klewis@thenational.ae
