Update on International Contact- EDUC 6162

After speaking to my contact Eric in Dubai, I was informed that the inequity that he feels that the children face is proper funding to support all children, not just those who are privileged. Eric stated that it is very important for parents to enroll their children in a school that received an outstanding or good rating. Most of the schools in these categories are private schools. Because parents are anxious to get their children in these schools, the schools have become overcrowded. There are waiting lists. One parent has a child who is in nursery right now, and she placed her 20 month old on a waiting list for one of the primary schools that received a rating of outstanding. This is really a big deal. It is unfortunate that all children are not afforded this type of luxury and are forced to attend our version of public school. Children that attend these schools are automatically placed on an academic pedestal and receive more opportunities for advancement when it comes to college placement and even sports.

The officials are now planning to build more schools in order to reduce the capacity of children in higher seeking facilities. A nursery school has opened a class for one primary grade because of the overflow of the waiting list. By 2024, there should be more schools and more room for adequate placement. Also, one particular school on the outstanding list usually enrolls children in the area automatically. They have been unable to accommodate even those who are to be rightfully enrolled. What I do like about the situation is that there is at least one school in each area that adheres to the rollover program for children. It is good that those children have an opportunity to attend a school with a good or outstanding rating.