Principal Matters - January 12, 2004

Private schools in the UAE cater to the expatriate community by offering a range of curricula and methods of teaching. Every week, we profile one school and learn of its goals from a top school official.

This week: Aziz Akhtar, principal, Varkey International Private School, Dubai


'Our strength lies in our students, teachers'

Author of several books on chemistry, Aziz Akhtar began his career with Modern School, Vasant Vihar, New Delhi. A postgraduate in chemistry, he worked on a UNESCO/UNDP project as a specialist in teaching of Chemistry. Winner of the Nehru Prize of Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, he was also felicitated as best student during his B Ed course and as best principal while he was with Cambridge School, Noida, India. Aziz Akhtar worked in Abu Dhabi before taking charge as principal of Varkey International Private School (VIPS), Dubai, in 2001.

How is your school different from other schools in the UAE?
Aziz Akhtar: Ours is the only GEMS-managed school to follow the CBSE and Kerala Board syllabi. We also hold the record for the best board result ever in class X exam of Kerala Board.

What are the strengths of VIPS?
AA: Since VIPS moved to a new and spacious building in 2002, we have been offering morning classes to boys and girls. Our strength lies in our students, teachers and the excellent relationship between parents and the school.

Tell us about any special achievements of the school under your leadership.
AA:The achievements in any organisation cannot be the result of any one individual's efforts. During the last two years we have successfully introduced the CBSE syllabus in the school and already there are 85 students in Grade XI of the CBSE system.

What, according to you, are the essential elements of a good school?
AA: Besides providing students with a strong academic base, a good school helps students to "learn to learn". It should also impart basic core values like leadership qualities, forward thinking, universal values like love and care. A good school should equip students to face the world confidently and to contribute to the society meaningfully.

General information Varkey international private school, Dubai:

1. Location: Al Quoz, Dubai.
2. No of shifts: One.
3. Time: Kindergarten: 7.40 to 11.30am.
Grade I to XII: 7.40am to 1.30pm.
4. Syllabus followed: Kerala Board and CBSE.
5. Classes held: Kindergarten to Grade XII.
6. Languages of instruction: English.
7. Secondary languages taught: Hindi, Malayalam, French and Arabic.
8. Affiliated to: CBSE, New Delhi and Kerala State Board.
9. Branches: Nil.
10. Transport: Provided, fees from: Dh100 to 140.
11. Fee structure: Dh223 to 454.
12. No of students: 1,475.
13. Extracurricular activities: Games, sports, dance, music, theatre, and painting.
14. Criteria for admission: All nationalities welcomed. No distinction between religion, region admission granted on first-come first-served basis
15. Established: 1991
16. Managed by: GEMS, Varkey group
17. Owner: Sunny Varkey
18. Pass rate for board exams: 100%
19. No of teachers: 90
20. Scholarships, freeships: Students securing 80 per cent or more in five subjects in the SSLC examination get 50 per cent tuition fee waiver. Deserving students are also given freeships.
21. No of nationalities represented among students: Almost all Indians
22. Contact details: Telephone: 04- 3391188. Fax: 04-3393686