Dubai is terrible because.....
#196
Re: Dubai is terrible because.....
Dubai is terrible because:
(1) Total apathy by the Labour Dept (worse still the respective country's consulate staff do absolutely nothing to help) towards the plight of the poor workers (labourers who work 12 hours a day and don't get paid ...living under inhuman conditions)- every day I read about their plight in the newspapers and it makes me depressed. I have witnessed first hand how an employer is given better treatment in case of a dispute.
(2) Traffic is a nightmare. It's rush hour traffic all the time!
(3) Weather - It's too hot to take my kids out - I shudder to think of how I'm going to keep them entertained come summer vacation. :scared:
(4) I have a serious problem with the schools here - although I am told there are some good schools (unfortunately not being UK citizens does not entitle them admission to these schools). We shall be moving out of the UAE as soon as my elder kid is in grade 7-8. Any recommendations on good schools gratefully accepted now.
More later. I have to think of the good things, before I am labelled a Troll!!
Cheers
Anya
(1) Total apathy by the Labour Dept (worse still the respective country's consulate staff do absolutely nothing to help) towards the plight of the poor workers (labourers who work 12 hours a day and don't get paid ...living under inhuman conditions)- every day I read about their plight in the newspapers and it makes me depressed. I have witnessed first hand how an employer is given better treatment in case of a dispute.
(2) Traffic is a nightmare. It's rush hour traffic all the time!
(3) Weather - It's too hot to take my kids out - I shudder to think of how I'm going to keep them entertained come summer vacation. :scared:
(4) I have a serious problem with the schools here - although I am told there are some good schools (unfortunately not being UK citizens does not entitle them admission to these schools). We shall be moving out of the UAE as soon as my elder kid is in grade 7-8. Any recommendations on good schools gratefully accepted now.
More later. I have to think of the good things, before I am labelled a Troll!!
Cheers
Anya
#197
Re: Dubai is terrible because.....
Originally Posted by IndieGirl
(4) I have a serious problem with the schools here - although I am told there are some good schools (unfortunately not being UK citizens does not entitle them admission to these schools). We shall be moving out of the UAE as soon as my elder kid is in grade 7-8. Any recommendations on good schools gratefully accepted now.
#199
Re: Dubai is terrible because.....
Originally Posted by IndieGirl
Dubai is terrible because:
(1) Total apathy by the Labour Dept (worse still the respective country's consulate staff do absolutely nothing to help) towards the plight of the poor workers (labourers who work 12 hours a day and don't get paid ...living under inhuman conditions)- every day I read about their plight in the newspapers and it makes me depressed. I have witnessed first hand how an employer is given better treatment in case of a dispute.
(2) Traffic is a nightmare. It's rush hour traffic all the time!
(3) Weather - It's too hot to take my kids out - I shudder to think of how I'm going to keep them entertained come summer vacation. :scared:
(4) I have a serious problem with the schools here - although I am told there are some good schools (unfortunately not being UK citizens does not entitle them admission to these schools). We shall be moving out of the UAE as soon as my elder kid is in grade 7-8. Any recommendations on good schools gratefully accepted now.
More later. I have to think of the good things, before I am labelled a Troll!!
Cheers
Anya
(1) Total apathy by the Labour Dept (worse still the respective country's consulate staff do absolutely nothing to help) towards the plight of the poor workers (labourers who work 12 hours a day and don't get paid ...living under inhuman conditions)- every day I read about their plight in the newspapers and it makes me depressed. I have witnessed first hand how an employer is given better treatment in case of a dispute.
(2) Traffic is a nightmare. It's rush hour traffic all the time!
(3) Weather - It's too hot to take my kids out - I shudder to think of how I'm going to keep them entertained come summer vacation. :scared:
(4) I have a serious problem with the schools here - although I am told there are some good schools (unfortunately not being UK citizens does not entitle them admission to these schools). We shall be moving out of the UAE as soon as my elder kid is in grade 7-8. Any recommendations on good schools gratefully accepted now.
More later. I have to think of the good things, before I am labelled a Troll!!
Cheers
Anya
The school my son goes to (Jumeirah Primary School) has kids from over 40 different countries. Last year he had no other Brits in his class - this year he has 1. He loves it there so if he's happy, so am I.
#200
Re: Dubai is terrible because.....
Originally Posted by LakesLassie
Don't need to be UK citizens to get into most of the English curriculum schools here Anya. There are 1 or 2 notable exceptions where they like to create an artificial bubble not representative of the rest of the city, but you get that sort of folk everywhere!
The school my son goes to (Jumeirah Primary School) has kids from over 40 different countries. Last year he had no other Brits in his class - this year he has 1. He loves it there so if he's happy, so am I.
The school my son goes to (Jumeirah Primary School) has kids from over 40 different countries. Last year he had no other Brits in his class - this year he has 1. He loves it there so if he's happy, so am I.
If you need any help with schools, just post on www.expatwoman.com.
#201
Re: Dubai is terrible because.....
Just read the posts on here. Just out of curiousity how many of you have friends who are arabs and go to their homes, etc, or do you tend to just hang out with Brit expats?
Last edited by Mercedes; May 19th 2005 at 7:34 pm.
#202
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Dubai is terrible because.....
I know lots of Arabs, and a couple of nationals.
I've been out with the arabs a lot, but locals don't tend to mix with us so much on a social basis (and I guess vice versa) which is a shame.
I've been out with the arabs a lot, but locals don't tend to mix with us so much on a social basis (and I guess vice versa) which is a shame.
#203
Re: Dubai is terrible because.....
I hang out with all sorts and work for Saudis.
Unless u have, its hard to explain the rigors of work out here.
trin
Unless u have, its hard to explain the rigors of work out here.
trin
#204
Re: Dubai is terrible because.....
Originally Posted by Mercedes
Just read the posts on here. Just out of curiousity how many of you have friends who are arabs and go to their homes, etc, or do you tend to just hang out with Brit expats?
#205
Re: Dubai is terrible because.....
Originally Posted by Palm Tree
Some schools are licenced to admit only UK passport holders and has nothing to do with the management prefering it that way. It is UAE law when a new school opens that wishes to offer an English Curriculum without segregation of boys and girls that they adhere to accepting only UK passport holders but the law has been by-passed by many schools. Some schools are not taking chances and stick to the law.
If you need any help with schools, just post on www.expatwoman.com.
If you need any help with schools, just post on www.expatwoman.com.
#206
Re: Dubai is terrible because.....
Originally Posted by LakesLassie
Sorry PT but I don't think that's strictly true. 1 school in particular has been here at least as long as many others and is well known for its Brits only policy. If it was the case as you describe, how come the old school that's been there for years is still Brits only but their new school opening later this year is not? Doesn't add up I'm afraid.
Thanks LL and PT for you responses! I shall check out JPS (but it sounds like it only has a primary school section - until what grade is that? My kid will be going into Grade 6 this year) - she already goes to a British curriculum school.
I tried to send some K, it says I have to spread it around, what does that mean
Cheers
Anya
#207
Re: Dubai is terrible because.....
Originally Posted by LakesLassie
Sorry PT but I don't think that's strictly true. 1 school in particular has been here at least as long as many others and is well known for its Brits only policy. If it was the case as you describe, how come the old school that's been there for years is still Brits only but their new school opening later this year is not? Doesn't add up I'm afraid.
I have had a fair bit of insight into the education system here as I am usually very interested in that direction.
#208
Re: Dubai is terrible because.....
Originally Posted by IndieGirl
Thanks LL and PT for you responses! I shall check out JPS (but it sounds like it only has a primary school section - until what grade is that? My kid will be going into Grade 6 this year) - she already goes to a British curriculum school.
I tried to send some K, it says I have to spread it around, what does that mean
Cheers
Anya
I tried to send some K, it says I have to spread it around, what does that mean
Cheers
Anya
Hi Anya
I should leave answering about JPS to LL but as I have friends at JPS and will be sending my own children to a GEMS school, I can hopefully help out too and if not, I am sure LL will help me out.
JPS is from FS1 (3years) to Year 4 and then they move on to JC (Jumeirah College) from Year 5. I have no idea what spaces are like for JC but believe there is a waiting list. JPS is practically impossible to get into but doesn't mean people can't try.
Personally, I would place my children at JPS (wasn't that keen 2 years ago, I must admit but things can change). I have now opted for what I hope will be a good alternative which is Wellington International School and will be almost identical on its academic side to JPS with newer facilities as it is only under construction. I was very fortunate to have a personal meeting with the principal apart from the official once and I am 100% confident about the whole set up. The only thing to bear in mind, we are living in a fast world and none of us has guarantees as to what can happen in future and must allow for pitfalls along the way. I chose a school for my children which I believe is excellent but sadly received unfounded and unexpected bad publicity and obviously affects them one way or another. The current school has been excellent so far and might proof to be for many but for personal reasons and preferences, I feel my children are ready to be part of a larger school with more opportunities to be part of the modern world and Wellington seems to fit the bill for me exactly. For now that is and I will always keep an open mind at other opportunities that might come along the way.
Check out the following websites and read all the info on there carefully. I find that people just open the front webpage and can't be bothered to go through them step by step, hence missing out on a lot of detailed information.
www.wellingtoninternationalschool.com
www.gemseducation.com
By the way, there are a few on this site who are sending their children there in September.
Good luck with your research.
#209
Re: Dubai is terrible because.....
Originally Posted by Palm Tree
Check out the following websites and read all the info on there carefully. I find that people just open the front webpage and can't be bothered to go through them step by step, hence missing out on a lot of detailed information.
www.wellingtoninternationalschool.com
www.gemseducation.com
.
www.wellingtoninternationalschool.com
www.gemseducation.com
.
#210
Re: Dubai is terrible because.....
Originally Posted by Bob
just added that to the faq's, I'm sure there's more here that I could add as bulleted points but I'm to tired to make sense of it right now, but if there's anything that would be really helpful, then point it out, or pm it and I'll add it tomorrow
Are you allowed to add the following link? It has a good summary of schools.
http://expatwoman.com/profiles.php?ID=46