UAE | Media
Lessons learnt from small beginnings
Jebel Ali Primary School has come a long way from its humble origins 30 years ago to become an educational facility in a class of its own.
- By Mariam M. Al Serkal, Staff Reporter
- Published: 01:20 November 2, 2007
- Then: Peter Wakeman, first headmaster at the Jebel Ali School in the 1970s.
- Image Credit:
Dubai: Jebel Ali Primary School was opened on September 22, 1977, with just 69 students.
The school, set up by the Dutco Group for its employees during the construction of Jebel Ali Port, has grown since then to accommodate more than 600 students representing 30 nationalities.
In 1977, the school was the only educational facility in the area catering to Dutch and British families, offering the British and Dutch curricula.
A diary found in the school's archives describes a field-trip to Sharjah in February 1978 as a "mammoth journey", for it took an hour and a half's drive on a single lane road. There may be more lanes now, but the journey probably takes as long.
When the construction of the port was completed in the early 80s, many workers moved back to Holland, taking their families with them, which led to the closure of the Dutch section.
The school then evolved into an entirely British curriculum. By the winter term of 1984, the school roll dropped from 106 to 80, and in the late '80s the school had only 50 students. It did not start to grow significantly until Dubai started developing in the early '90s.
The school plays its part within the community and holds numerous fund-raising activities for local charities through Parents-Teachers Association meetings, said Jonathan Price, acting head teacher.
Gulf News has kept tabs on the growth of the school and our archives show various reports, such as this one from a dance performance: "Twenty young girls from Jebel Ali Primary School led by Dubai's top professional line dance instructor, Jackie Brear, delighted an audience of over 200 with their superb performance. Watched by their proud parents this was their third public performance and their first ever outside Jebel Ali."
Price said: "A good education is not only about learning and gaining good results. We want our students to discover the thrill of learning and thirst for more, so that they will have an appreciation of lifelong learning and continue to flourish."
In celebration of its 30th anniversary, the school is organising a charity ball on November 15 where the British Consul General, past and present board members as well as graduated pupils are expected to take part.
Yvonne Greenhow, a Year 4 teacher, has been with the school for 18 years and holds the title of the longest-serving teacher. Reminiscing about the days in 1989, she said there where there about 40 students at the school.
"It had a good feeling to it and everyone felt as if we were part of one big family. Even though the school has grown, it's never lost that homely feeling, and the children will always hold a soft spot for it."
Unfortunately, the school was informed last August that it has to be relocated and move away from its old premises. Nakheel, one of the region's key developers, announced that it is redeveloping Jebel Ali Village as part of Dubai's strategic plan for the future.
Construction will begin on Jebel Ali Village in 2008, with the entire project expected to be completed in five years.
The redevelopment will take place in the area of Jebel Ali Primary School and Nakheel has already initiated discussions with the school's Board of Governors regarding the development of a new school for the area, according to Aaron Richardson, Media Relations Manager, Nakheel.
He said the students will not be affected in any way, as the old school will only be closed down after the new establishment is completed, with all students receiving priority right of entry.
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