Dubai: Pakistanis in the UAE say more help is needed to aid low-income Pakistani families in the country send their children to school.
Dr Faisal Ikram, General Secretary of Pakistan Association in Dubai, said the association helps in paying student fees, however the association’s resources are limited.
“We need to improve the standards of these schools. We have prepared a proposal and are in touch with the consulate in hope of finding ways to improve the standards of education in Pakistani schools as well as expanding schools to cater to more students.”
Ikram recommended the formation of independent boards that will be in charge of improving Pakistani schools in the country.
He said these boards should also be involved in earning the community’s trust as he believed that there was a lack of trust and transparency preventing the community from helping out.
Ayoub Afrid, Chairman of the Pakistan Khyber Wing of the Pakistani Association, said he is aware of the issue and has called a meeting of his wing to plan a strategy that will enable them to help improve and expand Pakistani schools.
“I think the fees in Pakistani schools should be increased in order to improve the standard of education and increase resources needed to enhance the quality of education students receive. We are working on a project where we are trying to get the community involved in the expansion of schools,” he said, adding that a dedicated fund to pay fees for poor schoolchildren should be set up.