2017 Indian School Admission Lotteries Commence
Indian parents in Abu Dhabi have begun the 2017 admissions lottery process for popular and over-subscribed schools in the city.
The Abu Dhabi Indian School (ADIS) held its annual lottery on Saturday with parents observing around 3,000 applicants for the 120 KG 1 and Grade One places available for the new academic year.
The school refused to confirm the numbers, however parents noted around 2,000 applicants for the 40 KG 1 places, and over 1,000 parents vying for the 80 available seats in Grade 1.
Although Abu Dhabi has added thousands of new Indian places over the past 2 years, ADIS remains the city's most popular school, with parents telling Gulf News, that almost everyone in the community still applies to the school thanks to its reputation for high quality education, central location and affordable fees.
Parents speaking to the publication said that while new schools have opened, their annual fees are considered too high for many.
Many middle-class parents told the publication, they feel what was once a problem with accessibility, is now an issue with affordability.
Parent, James Dsouza, said, “ADIS was first preference for my daughter’s KG 1 admission for its affordable fee and quality,” however, he noted he had also applied to two other schools in case he wasn't successful.
Speaking to the publication, Anoop Abdul Rahim, said he was applying to the school as he lived nearby, and although he already had both children admitted to another school in Musaffah, admission to ADIS would save the family around two hours of travel time each morning.
