UAE | Education

Boarding proves a popular choice for busy parents

The last day of school is exciting for Piers Morrell. Finally he gets to sleep on his own bed in his house close to Media City - that is the only thing the 12-year-old student misses at Repton boarding school, other than, of course, seeing his family every day.

  • By Anjana Sankar, Senior Reporter
  • Published: 22:43 June 27, 2009
  • Gulf News

  • Repton's boarding school opened in September and takes in boys aged 11 to 16. The school plans to open a facility for girls by September 2011.
  • Image Credit: Francois Nel/Gulf News

Dubai: The last day of school is exciting for Piers Morrell. Finally he gets to sleep on his own bed in his house close to Media City - that is the only thing the 12-year-old student misses at Repton boarding school, other than, of course, seeing his family every day.

"My dad is a pilot and when he is not in Dubai, my mum is by herself. She would have to drive my brother and sister completely opposite directions, race back and then drive me to school. Then do the whole drive back to collect us ... It is quite tough for her," Piers explains.

The boarding facility at Repton's campus in Nad Al Sheba opened last September and is becoming a popular choice among many Dubai parents. Nigel Kew, the head of the boarding said staff are getting more enquiries from local parents for next year's intake.

"Currently, we have 25 students for boarding, out of which six are weekly boarders whose parents live in Dubai. While full boarding suits parents who are abroad, those who are just 20 minutes drive away from the school are also keen [on] the idea of sending their children to boarding school where they have the flexibility of coming home every weekend," said Kew.

The boarding facility, which costs around Dh50,000 to Dh60,000 per annum, is currently open to boys aged 11 to 16. Headmaster at Repton, David Cook, said the school is planning to open a separate facility for girls by September 2011. The current three-storeyed building within the British-curriculum school campus offers its boarders independent or twin-shared rooms with attached bathrooms, in-house catering and laundry services. A leisure room, self-serviced kitchen and snacks room and all other facilities for sports and entertainment are also at the children's disposal.

Many parents said they opt to board their children to give them a sense of independence and maturity.

Zul Alibhai, father of Zaqi Alibhai, a year-eight Kenyan student who has recently started boarding, said his son has benefited from the experience.

"He has become more organised in the structured set-up in the boarding school with designated timings for study and play. He is now learning to look after himself without his mother having to remind him about everything," said Alibhai, a Dubai-based lawyer. The family said Zaqi will continue at Repton after the family leaves Dubai next year.

Graham Morrell, father of Piers, said his son has loved boarding so much that their decision to take him out next year due to financial reasons has devastated him.

Kew said boarders have the advantage of having far more time for their studies, and also get help from academic staff even after school hours. "Pastoral care is given immense importance. We have three supervisors ... in addition to academic staff from school who are available if children want help with their prep. They also have more time for extra-curricular activities like swimming or games. We have also set enough leisure time for students where they can watch TV or play on their PSPs."

According to Cook, though boarding is relatively a new concept in the region, a lot more interest is being generated.

Do you think boarding schools inculcate more discipline within pupils? Would you choose a boarding school for your child? Why?


Your comments


I was in a boarding school in India for 8 years and it taught me to be disciplined and responsible for all I did. Also we had to take part in all activities such a sports, dramas, debates and had fixed hours for studies.
Adrian Saldanha
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 28, 2009, 18:23

Totally angered with boarding mentality. Parents this is not a good idea. Parents have to give time to their children because money is not every thing. If they have no time for their children then don't bring them in this world.
Ali
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 28, 2009, 17:32

This idea is great relief for many reasons like busy parents, getting right peer group discipline, etc but if the choice is available whether boarding or upbringing at home my choice would be at home coz there's no place like home and if child is taught from beginning itself to stay away from parents I am sure the love and attachment of kids to their parents will gradually reduce.
Khushii
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 28, 2009, 17:08

Why do parents give birth if they are so busy in life. A child needs parents love not a boarding school. You have options. Hire a maid.
Hassan
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 28, 2009, 15:54

Well I don't think we should put our kids in boarding school, lots of people think that they are busy in their work and can't able to handle their kids so I prefer mother should quit the job and takecare of kids at home otherwise the love and affection will be gone, you can teach them all the stuffs what boarding school is teaching
MMA
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 28, 2009, 15:50

I attended boarding school in Mussoorie, India and it was great. Studies, Discipline, Sports, Responsibility mold you into a matured individual. Definitely thinking of sending my kids to boarding too.
Ali Asgar
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 28, 2009, 14:36

I cant bear the thought of being separated from my daughter by sending her away to boarding school. Bringing up children well and inculcating the right values in them is the responsibility and duty of parents - and I am confident the same can be effectively done even at home. Having said this - I do understand that in the case where one or both parents have very busy work schedules which requires them to travel frequently, Boarding facilities are a great help as they provide a secure home away from home for the children.
Shiuli Dutt Dey
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 28, 2009, 14:32

I think it's a good idea to send their children to boarding school because they learn a lot of things there. One of the main things that this generation children lack is adjustment. In a boarding school they learn a lot to adjust with different types of people and surroundings. Moreover it inculcates independence and discipline.
Ibsen
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: June 28, 2009, 13:12

children who want to live with their parents will get more affection and love. That will create good values for future generation. If the children are away from their parents, mostly they tend to be cruel or gloomy.
Lalu P. George
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 28, 2009, 12:22

I was in a boarding school for 2 years and I loved it. You learn to be independent and follow a routine. The education is also better as time is set to do homework after classes and teachers are there to help you.
Maryam Sor
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: June 28, 2009, 11:28

I do not believe that boarding schools are for the most part about discipline. I would choose to place my children in a boarding school for a main reason which is the fact that life has become so un-social that it has become hard for these youngsters to develop proper social skills, what with everything being done through e-mail and phones social contact and experience is becoming something quite rare; and I believe that putting children in a boarding school would serve them well in the fact that they would develop social skills, given that this development is monitored by professionals in the field.
Ahmad K. Alian
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: June 28, 2009, 10:49

I spent between the ages of 7-18 (11 years) in a boarding school in the UK. I think it's an excellent idea for the idea to take off here. It is well proven that a boarding school gives a 'head start' to pupils, compared to normal schools. Pupils learn to be independant very fast, and get to experience a wide array of extra-curricular activities that wouldn't be possible in a normal school. More importantly, boarding schools have always been top on the results lists academically. I will certainly be sending my kids to Repton or to an alternative when they reach of age.
M.O.
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 28, 2009, 10:17

I have currently attended boarding school in Ireland for 6 years and I can't stand the long distance from my home in Dubai. I would never send my kids to boarding school it's just unhealthy to be locked up in the same place for a month or longer with 6 hour weekends and study 3 hours a day and no social life whatsoever.
Anon
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 28, 2009, 10:09

Yes. There are many benefits you can get in having this kind of set-up for your child. Sense of responsibility.
Alvin
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 28, 2009, 09:15

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