UAE | Crime
Youngster relives his days in school as institution faces probe
An adult education centre is under investigation by police as students were allegedly exchanging drugs and pornographic films, though the centre has denied the allegation.
- By Siham Al Najami, Staff Reporter
- Published: 23:56 October 30, 2008
Dubai: An adult education centre is under investigation by police as students were allegedly exchanging drugs and pornographic films, though the centre has denied the allegation.
The institution's principal denied Gulf News entry since 'police's investigation was underway' . So far no evidence has been uncovered on the validity of these claims.
Students interviewed outside the centre said they are upset at the comments about their centre adding they did not encounter such claims during their study at the centre.
Adult education centres are facing many challenges since children as young as nine are seated with adults in the same classes. The annual increase in drop outs and poor performance of students attending such centres has been repeatedly reported in the media and addressed by the Education Ministry.
Standing in front of the centre, Ahmad Mohammad, a 19 year old UAE national still has four more years to complete his schooling at Al Sha'arawi education centre for Adults.
According to him he "wasted his childhood due to bad company" since he was aged 12, adding that he regrets the days he misbehaved in school by missing out on classes or skipping to hang out with his friends at a shisha place.
This is how Ahmad spent his school days earning him nothing but tension with his parents and failing for four consecutive years. His self-destructive life style did not end at this point even though he was expelled from a number of schools.
"I can't blame my parents for this they tried so hard to put me on the right track. I was a kid and just wanted to explore life in my own I guess I did the wrong way," he said while standing outside the centre for a brief break.
In 2004, the young Ahmad got into a life threatening accident when he collided directly with a bus, leaving him with multiple fractures. During his one year treatment Ahmad took the advice of his parents to sign up at an adult education centre.
A new page opened for Ahmad at that point in his life, as he realised that with education many opportunities would come in his way, saying he wants to join the police after graduation to become a positive contributor in his society.
Ahmad currently lives with his parents, sister, and two brothers. He proudly spoke about his sister's graduation from school last year saying, "I will never allow my younger brothers fall into the same destructive path I explored."
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