Abu Dhabi: The head of a school, which was ordered to be shut down permanently by the end of this academic year by the Abu Dhabi municipality, left abruptly forcing the education council to temporarily take up the running of the school.
The Al Sahaba Private School was one amongst the six schools ordered shut by the municipality in April, citing failure to meet safety and security standards. Following the closure notification, the principal of the school reportedly left without notifying authorities, students or parents.
The school was scheduled to be closed down on June 30, the last day of the academic year.
"[But] the absence of the school administration led to chaos among students and eventually led to the closure of the school during this week," the Abu Dhabi Education Council (Adec) said, in a statement issued on Wednesday.
In a bid to help the students complete their academic year, Adec formed a committee to run the school temporarily, officials said.
An advisor at Adec will take charge as the acting principal of the school, till June 30. Another Adec official will manage the school's financial affairs.
Urgent maintenance
In addition, the council's engineering section will carry out urgent maintenance works and also hire a cleaning company to carry out the cleaning services.
The teachers, administration staff and students have been notified that the school will reopen on May 9.
Last month, Adec said that they will ensure educational opportunity to all the 2291 children studying in the six closed schools.
The council is providing two vacant government schools — Sa'ad Bin Obaidah School in Baniyas and the August sixth School in Muroor — to accommodate these students on a priority-registration basis.
Private operators will manage these schools.
