Dubai: Around 858,000 students started their first school day of the 2015-16 academic year on Sunday in Dubai and the northern emirates.
Out of the total 858,000, around 500,000 are from Dubai and the northern emirates and 358,000 from Abu Dhabi emirate.
The 500,150 students include around 230,150 students who go to public schools and private schools that follow the ministry’s curriculums in Dubai and the northern emirates and around 270,000 students who go to private schools in Dubai.
In Abu Dhabi, the total of 358,000 students include 128,000 from public schools and 230,000 from private schools.
The Ministry of Education announced that out of the 230,150 students who go to 419 schools under its jurisdiction, 145,762 go to public schools and 84,388 students go to private schools that follow the ministry’s curriculum.
Out of the 230,150 students who go to schools that follow the ministry of education curriculum (both public and private), 44,724 go to schools in Dubai, 77,314 go to schools in Sharjah, 35,539 go to schools in Ajman, 6,373 will return to schools in Umm Al Quwain, 25,534 will go back to school in Fujairah and 40,666 in Ras Al Khaimah.
The Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), on the other hand, announced that around 270,000 students will go back to around 169 private schools.
Talking to students ahead of the school day, Gulf News learnt about their preparations and their concerns about the new academic year.
“To be honest, I am dreading it,” said grade 12 Jordanian student Mohammad Ali who goes to the American School of Dubai.
“It is going to be my senior year, and how well I do in my examinations will determine the universities that I will get accepted to, so going back to start this important year in my life is making me nervous,” he said.
Ali, however, plans on socialising with his friends as much as he can because it may be the last year he will be able to see them.
“Many of us are going to study abroad, so I plan on making this year count by creating as many memories possible with my childhood friends,” said Ali.
Grade five student Farah Al Khatib, who goes to the International School of Choueifat in Sharjah, on the other hand, was looking forward to going back to school.
“I can’t wait to go back, I really miss my friends and teachers. I bought a new school bag and shoes that I am looking forward to wearing. My aim this year is to get better grades in school,” she said.
