Tuesday, Dec 14, 2010

Gulf News

Dh50,000 donation for Rashid Paediatric Therapy Centre and three smart classrooms for Za’abeel School mark occasion

Dubai The Indian High School (IHS), the oldest Indian school in Dubai, has turned 50 this year.

Staying true to its tradition of giving back to the community, the school yesterday donated Dh50,000 to the Rashid Paediatric Therapy Centre for children with special needs as it kicked off its golden jubilee celebrations. Three smart classrooms have also been set up by IHS at Za’abeel School, a public school, to enable e-learning.

Humble beginnings

“The journey of the school from being set up in a one-bedroom apartment of a woman named Hemkala Behn to the school with over 10,000 students, 600 teachers and 250 staff members is a remarkable one,” Mohan Valrani, honorary chairman of the school, said yesterday, recalling the establishment of the school in 1961 with just 10 students.

“This is obviously a big moment for the IHS family. There are generations of our students settled in different parts of the world today, carrying forward the name, reputation and value system of our institution,” Valrani said.

Back then, a group of businessmen pooled money to develop the school, which still functions as a not-for-profit organisation.

Dr Abdullah Al Karam, Chairman of the Board of Directors and Director General of the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), inaugurated the golden jubilee celebrations in the presence of Indian Consul General Sanjay Verma and founding members of the school. “We know that IHS alumni have influenced the UAE and Dubai in every walk of life,” Al Karam said.

new institution

admissions start in april

International Indian High School, the new member of the Indian High School family, will open its doors next April. The school, located in the Dubai Silicon Oasis, will follow the CBSE (Central Board of Secondary Education) syllabus. “Last year during our kindergarten admissions 2,500 students turned up to apply for the 500 seats that were available at HIS. This led us to set up the new school,” Ashok Kumar, CEO of the IHS group, said. The new school could take in 3,000 students, he said.

By Rayeesa Absal?Staff Reporter

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