DUBAI - UAE-based private school operator GEMS Education said on Thursday it is seeking government approval for closing down the secondary wing at its prestigious Royal Dubai School (RDS) at the end of this academic session.
"We have announced to parents that our plan is to talk to KHDA (Knowledge and Human Development Authority) about closing the secondary provision at the Royal Dubai School," Richard Forbes, director of communication at GEMS Education, said when contacted.
Earlier a person familiar with the situation told Maktoob Business that staff have been told the school will be closing at the end of this term due to a lack of pupils.
Forbes said no decision has been taken to close the secondary school because it depends on the government agency’s response "so all options are open".
GEMS officials will soon hold a meeting with the KHDA to discuss the issue.
The company runs about 100 international schools in various countries, according to its website.
Forbes said while the secondary school may be shut, there is no move to close the primary wing.
"The facilities were built for a primary school and the secondary school facilities were always seen as a temporary measure. We are proposing that RDS be a feeder school into GEMS secondary schools," he said.
"We are like every other good business in terms of making adjustments to ensure sure we stay on top of the issues at this time," he added.
During the years of economic boom private schools and colleges mushroomed in Dubai to enroll the children of expatriates families that had flooded the city amid ample jobs.
As Dubai's economy has slowed, redundancies have risen as businesses across the emirate have cut back their work force to lower costs. Many schools have meanwhile raised their fees to make up for any shortfall in enrollment numbers.