Adec orders 15 villa schools to shut down in Abu Dhabi

The Abu Dhabi Education Council (Adec) has ordered the closure of 15 villa schools in the emirate.

Of the 15, three will be allowed to continue operations as they will relocate to a building, which is approved by the Adec guidelines, for the next academic year.

“We are pleased that the owners of some villa schools are cooperating fully with Adec’s requirement to relocate to proper school buildings,” Informed Engineer Hamad Al Dhaheri, Executive Director Private Schools and Quality Assurance Sector.

“We will continue to provide support and help these schools develop the new buildings.”

Seven villa schools will be shut down this summer, while two Indian-curriculum schools and three others will close at the end of the 2013-14 academic year.

Since 2009, Adec has closed down 52 villa schools in the emirate.

Action on 20 more villa schools are yet to be taken.

Al Dhaheri added that the closure was ordered after the villa schools failed to respond to Adec’s request for relocation.

According to him, many villa schools, despite being awarded deadlines and numerous extensions, did not show any eagerness to take adequate action.

“Adec is forced to take action as these villa schools fail to meet our quality and safety standards.”

The education regulatory authority has also sent out letters to the parents of students informing them about the closures and advising them to obtain the necessary documents to transfer their child to a private school.

In a bid to ensure the children remain unaffected in this exercise, Adec has negotiated a limited number of seats at discounted fees in three schools – International Community School, GEMS Winchester School and Summit International School.

Adec has also advised parents to register their children immediately to ensure they get a place.

The letter also provided details of two new private schools which will open in September this year.