Kids lose out in UAE school waiting lists crisis

SCHOOL SEARCH: The demand for places in the UAE is intense. (Getty Images)

Children across the UAE are being turned away from schools because waiting lists are too long and the emirates cannot cope with the massive growth in population.

As many as ten pupils in the UAE are competing for one place at nursery and private schools, forcing parents to look beyond their nearest schools.

Jumeirah English Speaking School (JESS) at the Arabian Ranches has more than 145 children on its waiting list for next September’s Foundation Year intake.
Gary Stanton registered his daughter’s name for JESS four years ago but has since been told she “has no chance” of being accepted at the school. At best she may be offered a place at its sister school in Jumeirah.

“We have been at Arabian Ranches since the beginning. We registered Summer’s name nearly four years ago but now we’ve been told she has no chance of getting in. It’s too late to put her name down on any other school list,” said Stanton.

“The worst thing is that children with people who work for local companies are given priority over those who live in the surrounding area….forcing us to travel up to an hour to the next nearest school.”

Like most non-profit making schools priority at JESS is given to children with siblings already attending the school and children whose parents work for companies with corporate debentures.

“Our priority goes to those companies who bought corporate debentures before the school was built. They are only given places for their investment,” said Carissa Phillips, administrator in parent relations for JESS. “Last year not even all of the people with corporate debentures were offered places,” she added.

Last week American International School in Abu Dhabi confirmed it had more than 500 children on its waiting list while Dubai College said it had more than 300 children take its entrance exam for just 120 places.

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