Dubai: Considered one of the earliest private schools catering to expatriates in Dubai with its first branch set in the historic Bastakiya near Dubai Creek, Our Own English High School celebrated its 40th anniversary last week.
Gulf News interviewed the wife of the founder, Mariamma Varkey, to shed light on the early days of education in the country, as well as the hardships of setting up a school that now serves over 10,000 mostly middle class Asian communities.
The 75-year-old passionately spoke about the venture initiated by her late husband K.S. Varkey, founder of the first school.
Varkey began by teaching English in the evenings to both the local and expatriate community, and from the experience realised that there was a real need to establish an English-language school in Dubai.
Pioneers
Our Own English High School opened in August 1968 with three teachers and 27 pupils.
"Now, there are over 10,000 pupils registered at Our Own English High School in Dubai and there are seven campuses for the school in the country, which has provided an education to thousands of students over the decades."
The late K.S. Varkey chose the name of the school with the aim of creating a sense of community and belonging, hence the name Our Own English High School was born. Today that very same spirit of community and belonging continues.
Among the very first students was Shibu John Varkey in 1968. Records show that the first pupils came from India, Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Zanzibar, Bangladesh and Pakistan as well as Dubai.
"You must understand there was a small population emerging in the Emirates at that time and very little infrastructure. We were true pioneers in providing quality private education," she said.
Describing the simple lifestyle in the UAE when she arrived in 1957, Mariamma said there was no running water or electricity at the time.
Limited infrastructure
"I recall that we waited for the donkey to arrive with the water every evening and during the summer months, we would sprinkle water on the bed sheets to keep them cool," she said.
According to her, even ships could not travel through the creek so when they arrived they had to climb down the dhow's rope ladder, which was anchored several kilometres offshore and take an abra to the creek.
Mariamma still visits the school periodically and is delighted to continue seeing the same passion for teaching and learning.
