Dubai: Many Dubai schools asked parents to pick up their children and close early due to the heavy rain and thunderstorms experienced on Wednesday.
Schools requested for parents to pick their children up from school to ensure their safety.
It comes after The Abu Dhabi Education Council ordered all government and private schools in the emirate to remain closed due to adverse weather conditions.
Amal Belhasa, Chief of Compliance & Resolution Commission at Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), said, “Schools can decide to close early in response to weather conditions and other operational issues prevailing on a particular day. KHDA trusts schools to make up for lost time and lessons in the subsequent days or weeks.”
Schools however must inform the KHDA.
So far 11 schools have informed the KHDA that they will close early. They include Oasis School, Dubai English Speaking School (Oud Metha), Dubai English Speaking School (DIAC), Al Salam Private School, Jebel Ali Primary school – both branches, Emirates International School, Star International School, Mirdif and Star International School, Al Twar.
One parent told Gulf News that his children's school sent him a text message saying that the whole school will dispersal at 12 noon due to bad weather conditions.
"They said that we have to pick them up. I think this is wrong because we are at work and not everyone can do so," said Pakistani national Ahmad Yousef.
Mother of two Mai Al Khateeb said she agrees with the school's decision to close.
"Our children's safety comes first. There will be traffic and difficult rain conditions later in the afternoon so it's better that they go home now," she said.
A spokesperson for Gems said: "We have taken the advice of the authorities and in certain circumstances schools have closed early owing to the weather.
"Parents have been notified, and in situations where parents are not available students will be kept at school with adequate supervision until a guardian can pick them up."
School closures
- Oasis School
- Dubai English Speaking School (Oud Metha)
- Dubai English Speaking School (DIAC)
- Al Salam Private School
- Jebel Ali Primary school – both branches.
- Emirates International School
- Star International School, Mirdif
- Star International School, Al Twar
- Gems Metropole have just sent out a message saying you can collect kids at any time
- GEMS Wellington International School Al Soufouh
- The Philippine School - classes suspended
