Foreign School Operators Shown The Door In Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi education authorities have decided to terminate the services of 65 foreign operators and restrict school management to Emiratis from the next academic year, effectively ending the long-standing partnership system, according to Arabic daily Emarat Al Youm.

The Abu Dhabi Education Council (ADEC) has already ended the services of 116 foreign firms managing the emirate’s schools and the rest will be dismantled by the beginning of the 2-12-2013 school year.

“The partnership system was successful and achieved the required results…but we decided to dismantle this system so nationals will play their role in managing schools,” said ADEC Mugheer Al Khaily.

He said ADEC had taken steps to ensure a smooth transition in school management so all public schools will be able to fully rely on themselves.

He said the new system would create a large number of jobs for Emiratis and encourage nationals, particularly men, to join the education sector, which has long been shunned by them.

“ADEC has drawn up a comprehensive plan to expand the role of national school managements and ensure greater involvement by teachers and students’ parents,” he said.