Creative Sciences school to open soon

A new school based on the British curriculum while seeking to instil traditional Islamic values - claimed to be unique in the UAE - is set to open its doors to students next week.

The Dh70 million project, named The School of Creative Science, denotes the Bukhatir Group of Cos' first venture into education.

"There are other schools of this nature in the UK, with attempts in this direction having been made in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia," said Salah Bukhatir, chairman of the school's management board. "But such schools elsewhere may lack resources. We in the UAE have the resources, and the will.

"Certainly, it is the first of its kind in the UAE, seeking to reinforce Islamic values - which are universal, whatever the calling."

The ambitious project is being implemented in phases on a spacious 560,000 square foot location in Sharjah's Muweileh district alongside the University City complex, at a site granted by His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah.

Bukhatir explained the first phase developed, entailing a Dh12 million investment, has already seen 400 students being enrolled from KG1 to Grade 6. "We have the capacity for 450 students at present and expect to have them filled shortly."

Initially catering to primary school students, the management hopes to expand to the secondary level for both boys and girls, with emphasis on providing a well-rounded education in an environment that maximises the learning potential of the pupils.

Each classroom will have no more than 24 students, with a co-educational pattern to be followed in the lower grades.

At present, 92 per cent of the students are UAE nationals. The school accepts only Muslim pupils at present, but will study plans of opening the doors wider at a later stage.

Bukhatir stressed schools have a big role in shaping our children. "Keeping this in mind, ours will not merely be a business-oriented project but will focus on creative learning techniques that stimulate curiosity, while maintaining uncompromising teaching standards that adhere to UK academic regulations."

The teachers, recruited from the UK, Canada, Australia and the UAE, are all Muslims, with the 10 subjects being taught including English, Arabic, mathematics, science, information and communication technology, Islamic studies, design and technology, art and design, social studies and physical education.

The medium of instruction will be English, except for Arabic, Islamic studies and social studies.
The board chairman said the school allows parents to monitor their children's education through the Internet, by logging on the password and ID number, to check on their ward's progress, attendance and marks. Teachers can be accessed through e-mail.

"The school is equipped with an indoor sports hall and swimming pool, separate playgrounds for boys and girls, computer labs, library, medical and dental care centre, mini-farm and supervised bus service.

"Our quest towards excellence by harnessing leading-edge technology extends into all areas of operations such as, for instance, a canteen providing nutritious meals that operates on a cashless swipe card system for convenience," he added.

He said expansion would be conducted in a phased manner over the next five or six years, through to project completion.