Qatami, in the presence of the Minister of State for Federal National Council Affairs Dr. Anwar Gargash, was answering questions at the second ordinary session of FNC’s fourth season in the XIVth legislative chapter.

FNC members directed two questions to the education minister, who answered them to the satisfaction of the Council.

The questions pertained to the mechanism of control over private schools and on the prolongation of the school hours.

He also answered questions about the ministry’s policy in the area of Future Schools and teaching of English in primary schools.

Answering a question from FNC member Khalifa bin Howaidan, Qatami said that in the UAE there are presently 474 private schools, where nearly half a million students seek education including 85,000 national students.

These schools follow different curricula and educational approach but are under the supervision of the competent division at the ministry of education. The private schools in the UAE currently follow 17 different curricula, the minister said.

He asserted the ministry’s intention to restructure and regulate the ministry’s division in charge of private education. The minister also reaffirmed the principles of control of private education and a mechanism to upgrade it.

Qatami also confirmed that there is a vision to nationalise private schools, adding that he will raise this issue during the meeting to be held with the Heads of these schools next month.

 khaleej times