UAE ministry of education completes preparations for new academic year

The Ministry of Education has completed preparations for the new academic year 2013-2014 which starts tomorrow when administrative staff and teachers go back to work at 1376 schools across the UAE with 892,000 male and female students starting classes on 8 September. Intensified coordination between the ministry and its education zones is underway to provide the best conditions for students for this year. According to the ministry's reports, all schools are ready for the academic year with the completion of the distribution of textbooks and all maintenance work. Only two schools need more maintenance work, but will be ready to receives students by 8 September. This was revealed at a meeting held by the ministry for officilas of educaitonal zones. The meeting was chaired by Acting Undersecretary of the Ministry of Education, Ali Maihad Al Suwaidi. At the meeting, the officials reviewed preparations for supplying healthy meals to students. Al Suwaidi, in his remarks at the meeting, noted that the 652 vacant teaching positions by the end of last year were filled and appointments of the new teachers were already made. He also noted that maintenance at 26 schools in Dubai, Sharjah and northern regions was completed. The official added that 3200 new air conditioning units were installed at schools, besides the maintenance of existing ones. A field survey will be conducted upon the start of classes at schools in order to determine whether more maintenance of the buildings and see if more teachers need to be appointed to fill vacancies, if any, according to Al Suwaidi.