Abu Dhabi: Ten more community schools will be opened in Abu Dhabi by 2020 to train students to compete in the national and international level competitions, the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) said on Sunday.
The new community schools in the emirate aim to promote new “after school programmes and activities to develop skills of students, community members and optimise the use of school infrastructures and facilities”.
Currently ADEK is running 20 such community schools in Abu Dhabi including Al Ain and Al Dhafrah and it plans to transform more public schools into community schools and increase the number to 30 schools by 2020.
On Sunday, the ADEK signed an MoU with six different government entities to expand the community schools project in the emirate.
Speaking to Gulf News, Nasir Khamis, extra-curricular section manager and in-charge of ADEK’s community school project, said, “Five more community schools will be opened in January next year – two each in Abu Dhabi and Al Dhafrah - the western region of the emirate, and one in Al Ain. We are opening these schools as per the demands from the community.”
“We would keep expanding the community schools as per the demands of the community in each region of the emirate,” he said.
The community schools aim to align the economic and social priorities in line with the market requirements and community needs.
These community schools will be equipped with professional equipments to train and prepare students so that they can participate not only in the national level competitions but also compete in international games, Khamis said.
The schools are open for both – nationals and expatriates but all have to follow certain prescribed rules to enrol like they should come from government schools. Even in western region, expatriates are welcomed too, Khamis said.
Khamis also clarified that the students shouldn’t be necessarily from the same school, he/she can be from any school. It’s like a club – get the membership and use facilities.
The after school activities are free of charge and once a student becomes the member of the after school programme, they can participate in any activities of their choice, he said.
What is community school?
The Community Schools programme is one of ADEK’s initiatives, which was launched in 2015 in an aim to serve the community.
The initiative reflects ADEK’s vision that aims to promote the role of school as a cultural and social hub serving all community members through optimising the use of school facilities. The programme aims also to realise objectives of Abu Dhabi agenda as well as enhance family, school and community engagement, enable students to best utilise their leisure time after school and enjoy scientific, artistic, sports, cultural and heritage activities.
Different sports, culture, scientific and awareness activities include soccer, volleyball, swimming, aerobics, chess, reading, plays, drama, drawing, handicrafts, fine art, music, painting, robotics, English courses, health awareness lectures and first aid training workshops.
Dr Ali Al Nuaimi, ADEK’s Chairman, said, “Community schools will also develop programmes that support people of determination and talents in various fields. We aim to turn community schools into cultural and social hubs as these schools help build healthier community ties through exploring and nurturing talents and promoting personal skills and family interaction.”
The ADEK signed the six Memorandums of Understandings (MoU) with the Department of Health (DoH), Department of Urban Planning and Municipality, Department of Community Development (DCD), Abu Dhabi Police, Department of Culture and Tourism, and Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019.
