This article provides an overview of Al Ittihad Private School Al Mamzar, an American curriculum school located in the UAE. The school was founded over 40 years ago and focuses on providing students with a wholesome education through innovative teaching methods within a flexible learning environment. The school emphasizes core Islamic values and preparing students to meet the needs of the modern world. It follows a professional learning community model where learning is social and visible thinking is promoted. The school has achieved recognition from the KHDA for its Al SAQR Rahhal program and has produced successful alumni now working in prestigious fields. Overall, the article highlights the school's commitment to academic excellence while promoting students' well-rounded development.

1. 2021 | VOL-02 | ISSUE-01
AL ITTIHAD PRIVATE
SCHOOL AL MAMZAR
Remarkable
International
SCHOOLS
in UAE

4. EDITOR’S
NOTE
The United Arab Emirates boasts of a horde of
expatriates from across the globe. As per the official
statistics of the United Nations Department of
Economic and Social Affairs in 2019, nearly 88 percent of the
population is that of migrants. Blue skies almost always, a great
night life and safety, good company, skyscrapers and zero
income tax are just few of the incentives that allure people
worldwide.
But the Gulf region is much more than the golden sands,
amalgamation of cultures and food, and Burj Khalifa – the
world’s tallest tower. It has been surfacing as one of the most
emerging education hubs.
To provide education to the children of these expats, number
of English schools were opened. Many of these schools have
evolved into international schools today. Not so long ago,
people preferred leaving their families in their native countries
for a myriad of reasons, one of the important being children’s
education.
EDUCATION IN
UAE – PLENTY ON
YOUR PLATTER

5. Having realised this rising need with the rising number
of expats, the Gulf region began providing education
at the primary level as early as in 1950s. Gradually, the
education system began evolving and today is a full-
fledged hub for the expats.
If you are looking for good education for your children,
the UAE has a lot to offer in your platter. The schools in
UAE emphasise upon inclusive education, shaping
global citizens with empathy and tolerance towards all
mankind.
Overall, UAE has made gigantic leap in the world
literacy sphere with an education system that is just
around a century old. And the attempts of educators at
developing, advancing and refurbishing the education
system to meet the current standards continue
relentlessly. International schools are thriving and in
demand in UAE. These schools do not usually
segregate by gender and the medium of instruction is
generally English.
Right from International Primary Curriculum to
International Baccalaureate, International General
Certificate of Secondary Education, American
International Schools, British International Schools and
international schools of other countries to American
High School Diploma and Advanced Placement, expats
have a wide range of options to choose from.
International schools in UAE recognise the needs of
expat students and have been catering to these wide
range of needs. These schools, however, could be
expensive but if you are looking for quality education
for your child in a foreign land, there should be no
second thoughts about it. Moreover, with a zero-
income tax policy in the country, it should not be
difficult either. Degrees from these international
schools make admissions for higher education in other
countries easier.
Today these schools have caught the attention of the
world. We have attempted to feature few of these
eminent schools in the latest edition of our magazine
The Knowledge Review - Remarkable International
Schools in UAE.
Hope this edition throws some insights on international
schools in UAE. Have an interesting read about the
schools featured, the CXO standpoint from industry
experts and articles curated by our inhouse editorial
team.
Happy reading! T R
Sumita Sarkar
sumita@theknowledgereview.com

6. Al Ittihad Private School Al Mamzar
A Professional Learning Community
Inclusive Education
Education in the
United Arab Emirates
The Transition
Changing Dynamics
in Classrooms
Articles
28
18
08
Cover Story

7. Dubai Scholars Private School
Exceptional Opportunities
to Learn and Grow
Delhi Private School Dubai
The Ascension Grounds
for The Inquisitive 22
32
CONTENTS

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9. URL
Name of the Institution Brief
Al Basma British School http://www.albasmaschool.ae/
Focusing on enriching students' lives with
wholesome education that is joyous and
meaningful
Al Ittihad Private School http://www.ipsmamzar.com/
A school with an ideal combination of academic
excellence and strong values
American Community
School, Abu Dhabi
https://www.acs.sch.ae/
A non-prot, U.S. accredited college
preparatory school serving a culturally diverse
student body
Delhi Private School Dubai http://website.dpsdubai.com/
A private, co-educational institution for the
diverse, expatriate community in the UAE
Dubai College https://www.dubaicollege.org/
A modern secondary education in the British
style, to the highest academic standards for
expats and also for UAE children
Dubai Scholars
Private School
https://dubaischolars.com/
International School
of Creative Science
https://iscs.sch.ae/
Kent College Dubai https://kentcollege.ae/
Emirates International
School - Jumeirah
https://www.eischools.
ae/Jumeirah
A student-centered learning environment
where children are authors of their own
learning and become authors of their own
futures
Offering a broad international IB education
for local and expatriate students, that
promotes excellence in all academic activities
Striving for academic excellence with strong
moral values to develop successful and
contributing members of a global society
Providing the same high quality education as
that of the founding school in Canterbury while
reecting the local context
The International School
of Choueifat - Ajman
https://iscajman.sabis.net/
Providing top-quality education to children of
different races, nationalities, and backgrounds,
enabling them to be admitted to competitive
universities
Remarkable
International
SCHOOLS
IN UAE T R

10. Cover Sto
Al Ittihad Private

11. ory
School Al Mamzar
A Professional Learning Community
At IPSM…
We Lead,
Courageous
and Audacious
“
“

12. Engaging students with ideas, to
think and to learn, to help them
explore the world of learning
with the guidance of teachers, produce
wholesome individuals with
knowledge that lasts a lifetime.
Such learning is way away from mere
bookish knowledge and exams that are
temporary achievements. Contextual
understanding of learning is what Al
Ittihad Private School, Al Mamzar
advocates and practices. Keeping
students as the focal point, innovative
teaching within flexible learning spaces
that encourage and facilitate teacher-
planning and multi-disciplinary and
multi-modal learning have been the
USP of the school. The stakeholders of
the school describe it as - A
Community of Learners Disrupting
Traditional Education.
We, at The Knowledge Review,
explored more about the prestigious
school in UAE that has produced a
great many scholars.
About the School
Al Ittihad Private School Al Mamzar
(IPS-M) is an American curriculum
school, underpinned by Emirati
Culture, Character and Philosophy.
The school works towards preserving
the local culture and heritage and
instilling core Islamic values in its
learners. Whilst keeping the religious
values intact, the school prepares its
students to meet the needs and
challenges of the modern world with
high competency, confidence and
competitive skills.
The inception of Al Ittihad Private
School Al Mamzar, which was over 40
years ago, was a visionary and
courageous step taken by its founders.
“Ours founders were in tune with the
spirit of this great nation as they dared
to dream big. We strive to live up to the
vision of our founders through a
commitment to positive religious,
social, emotional and academic
outcomes,” says the school
management.
They add, “With our 40+ years of
experience, innovation and passion in
education, we are proud of our legacy
and heritage”.
Core Values
Al Ittihad is a fully inclusive learning
community and it firmly believes that
every member of the community has a
distinctive voice, purpose, and gift.
The concept of tolerance is embedded
in their daily lives, “as we live our
Islamic religion within the context of
all that we do,” stresses the
management. Hence, they have
developed special bonds with all of
their families who understand the
uniqueness of the school and see the
school as an extension of family life.
The Leader
Director General, Massimiliano
Caruso, began his tenure as the new
Director General of this most august
school. He is generous enough to
acknowledge the foundational work
and leadership of his predecessor,
Remarkable International Schools in UAE

13. Amna Mohamad Rafi, as the school
celebrates its achievements and
exciting new directions.
Caruso enunciated an initial new and
bold vision for the school, as it built on
the past, developed the present and
leaps into the future.
This vision is shared, re-shaped and
enacted by the outstanding executive
team, leaders, teachers and staff of the
school. The IPSM executive team has
risen to the challenge of re-imagining
education and indeed, the challenge
posed by one of the most devastating,
disruptive pandemic events in living
memory.
Learning at Al Ittihad
The Al Ittihad model facilitates
learning that is individual, (certainly
individuated), in-group, community,
and in team. This is an important
distinction as research clearly supports
the idea that learning is constructed
and occurs best as a social activity.
Immersion in learning, in this way,
allows for greater depth of
understanding when we begin to also
craft conditions, where thinking
becomes visible. Many of us think in
isolation, in our own minds and this is
good practice.
However, real creative thinking and
problem solving truly occurs when we
‘make thinking visible’, that is, when
we articulate our thoughts and ideas
within the Executive Team and the
teachers. Ideas are shared discussed,
explored, reshaped and a better result
occurs.
In demystifying the thinking and
learning process, models are provided
to students regarding what it means to
engage with ideas, to think and to
learn. This way the school dispels the
myth that learning is simply a matter of
We
foster
opportunities
for our
children
to participate
in an
education
that
prepares
them for
life and
immerses
them in
their
God-given
Emirati
culture
“
“

14. committing to memory facts and
figures or concepts that are provided by
teachers or lifted out of textbooks.
Al Ittihad Al Mamzar is a result-
oriented Professional Learning
Community that:
• accepts learning as the fundamental
purpose of the school and therefore
are willing to examine all evidence-
based pedagogies in light of their
impact on learning.
• commits to working
interdependently to achieve a
collective purpose.
• embraces diversity and promotes
inclusivity within all aspects of the
learning community.
• assesses effectiveness on the basis of
results rather than intentions. The
community members, teams, and
stakeholders eagerly seek relevant
data and information in order to
reflect, plan, and design pathways
that promote continuous
improvement.
Going That Extra Mile
With the support of all members of the
learning community the school is able
to provide an environment that meets
the needs of all the students and
prepares them for future opportunities.
In a practical sense, when themes are
explored, (for instance, across
primary), then teachers may, in the
learning community setting, (with
children in groups, sitting in their
learning spaces), examine aspects of
these themes by using various thinking
tools. However, clarity precedes
competence and pedagogy precedes
performance. “In other words, our
teachers need to know what they want
students to learn, what success will
look like, the pedagogical
methodology, and how they will
measure learning,” explains the school
management.
Ittihad follows the “I do, We do, You
do” model, which is a gradual release
model. This methodology has proven
to be most effective with the students,
who are predominantly English
language learners. This model
provides a solid structure for learning
and utilizes scaffolding to give
appropriate support to all learners
with varied abilities. Further support
is provided through a rich Response
to Intervention program that closely
monitors learners and provides them
with systematic individualized
assistance.
Achievements
In Spring 2020, IPS Mamzar’s Al
SAQR Rahhal Program was approved
and endorsed by the KHDA. This was
a milestone for IPS Mamzar, because
it enabled the school to offer learners
Children
grow
into the
intellectual
life of
those
around
them
“
“

15. Alumni Speak:
I am honored to be an Al Ittihad Private School Al Mamzar Alumni, the institute which equipped me with essential
education and skills to become a doctor. I developed valuable leadership and communication skills through the
opportunities it offered allowing me to thrive in my field today. Also, the curriculum adopted at the school provided
me with the extensive knowledge needed to get into a world-class medical school in the United Kingdom.
• Sultan Ayoup Alzarouni (Year of 2016)
AIPS Al Mamzar is a beautiful school and a sweet part of my childhood memories. I believe AIPS gave us a good
balance between academic and social development. We enjoyed football as much as we appreciated maths. I am
thankful for AIPS that gave me the opportunity to play the trombone and piano. We used to play the UAE National
Anthem in front of HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid during our sports days. I later studied up to Grade 8 in solo piano
in the UK.
- Mohamad Khodr Al-Dah (Year of 1996)
(Survey Director for the Dubai Land Department)
Mohamad is the only Emirati Chartered Structural Engineer with the Institution of Structural Engineers UK (IStructE).
More Pride of the School
Aysha Mohammad AlRumaithi (Year of 2012)
A sustainability engineer at the Water Sector and civil engineering. Aysha got her bachelor’s degree in Renewable
and Sustainable Energy. Further she got her master’s degree in Civil Science. She is currently Senior Engineer –
Innovation Ecosystem at Dubai Electricity & Water Authority – DEWA. Aysha preserved on improving and applying
multiple initiatives and projects which effectively contributed to achieving the Authority’s strategic goals and Dubai
Government visions in terms of sustainability, digitalization, and futuristic plans. At the forefront of her contributions
is participating in constructing and building Al-Ruwaya Sustainable Facility in which the Authority was rewarded for
the best GBCI as the top corporation in the Middle East and North Africa. Aysha attained several international
professional certificates in sustainable energy and deserved a position among top five to get the True Advisor
certificate. She is also a graduate of multiple international programs like ‘Young Leaders of Future Energy’ held by
Masdar Institution and ‘The Green Enterprise’ from Iceland due to her awareness of the youth’s role in integrating
the three poles of sustainability. Aysha was elected by the executive committee in Dubai to represent the youths
locally and internationally. She won more than 90 rewards.
Abdulla Mohamed Saeed Al Marri (Year of 2002)
Captain Engineer in Dubai Police, Member of UAE National Team
Abdulla holds a bachelor’s degree, Communication Engineering from Khalifa University 2006. He completed Sheikh
Hamdan Bin Mohammed Program for Athletic Leadership. Abdulla is a member of UAE Equestrian and Racing
Federation.
His golden memories at Al Ittihad Mamzar were being a member of the senior Soccer Team and won the first place
in Gulf Soccer Championship in 2001. Abdulla added that AIPS Al Mamzar mastered him with high level of
mathematics skills which has not only helped him during university years, but also pushed him to choose
engineering.

16. ultimate flexibility and more
personalized learning experiences.
Members of the Rahhal program will
be able to engage in the learning
process anywhere in the UAE and the
world.
The ALSAQR program has three main
tracks for students Grades 5-12.
A) Students of determination who may
benefit from an enhanced or vocational
program that focuses on the individual
needs of the learner.
B) Students with particular gifts,
talents, and/or interests.
C) Students who need flexibility in
their learning times and environments.
Standing Apart
The school’s Bank Street approach has
a number of distinctive characteristics:
• Using a deep knowledge of child
development as a foundation of
curricular development so that what
happens in the classroom helps
children use their current capacities
to learn how to think and problem-
solve, alone and with others
• Providing opportunities for first-hand
interaction with the environment
(people, places, and things) and then
returning to the classroom to create
individual and collaborative meaning
through discussion and use of rich
materials.
• Incorporating the knowledge
(reinforced through neuroscientific
findings) that emotions and cognition
are intertwined into classroom
practice
• Creating a community of learners so
that children come to develop
respect for each other, the adults who
care for them, and those who may
seem “different” from themselves
• Applying democratic principles in
the classroom including but not
limited to group decision making,
collaboration, cooperation and active
listening.
Coping with Covid-19
In light of COVID19, the educators
were tasked with ensuring the
continuity of learning through remote
learning. Without forewarning,
teachers had to adapt quickly by
learning new technologies and
adopting new teaching strategies to
mitigate against learning loss. Moving
forward, the school adjusted to a ‘new
normal’ by merging newly learned
strategies with the best of its existing
practices. Consequently, the
management forged a new hybrid
model of professional pedagogy. The
new innovative model of learning has
seamless integration of online and
face-to-face activities.
Teaching and learning at IPS Mamzar
is better than ever before because it
offers flexibility, innovative ways of
teaching material, and new ways for
students to demonstrate learning. “We
truly are prioritizing the wholesome
development of the child and focusing
on learning experiences that are
transformational,” the management
informs.
The Future
The school believes all learning is
social and emotional, and IPS
Mamzar’s new pilot curriculum is
explicitly designed for students to learn
key concepts about well-being so they
can live healthy and fulfilling lives.
IPS Mamzar’s Positive Education
Curriculum will expand upon the
foundational core themes and values of
responsibility, innovation, global
citizenship, respect, and inclusion.
With a structured approach to SEL
learning, our aim to develop the child
in a wholesome manner will be
enhanced and will be more effective. T R

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20. in the
UNITED ARAB
EMIRATES
in the
T
he United Arab Emirates (UAE) is one of the
most mature education markets in the middle
east region and remains a draw for investors,
providers and students. From rustic schools with
minimum infrastructure to technologically advanced
classrooms fitted with smart boards, the education
landscape in the UAE has come a long way. Since the
‘90s, educational institutions in the country have
evolved to suit the needs of a highly competitive job
market.
With sprawling school and university campuses, new
courses and regulations, an increased focus on
technology, and a greater focus on student well-being,
growth in the education sector has matched the rapid
pace of the UAE’s evelopment. Although, despite
d
18 February | 2021

21. Inclusive Education
February | 2021 19

22. these rapid developments, there also continue to be
several challenges in the industry, including high costs,
and the actual task of increasing student engagement
and participation.
For these reasons, the UAE Vision 2021 National
Agenda emphasizes on the development of a first-rate
education system. This will require a complete
transformation of the current education system and
teaching methodologies.
UAE Vision 2021
The national agenda aims that for universities, schools
and students to be equipped with smart systems and
devices as a basis for all teaching methods, projects and
research. The plan also emphasizes there to be
significant investments to promote enrolment in
preschools as it plays an important role in shaping
children’s personalities and their future.
Rashmi Nandkeolyar, the principal and director of DPS
Dubai, said: “Education is an important pillar of the UAE
National Vision. Our school’s program is in sync with the
UAE’s national agenda. Being part of an education system
that is making great strides in ensuring quality in teaching
and leadership, I have witnessed the constant evolution of
the curriculum and introduction of novel learning
programs.”
She added, “The major focus of the agile education system
of this country is not only in moulding the intellect and
character of students but also in preparing them to achieve
beyond their potential by creating a world-class and
dynamic learning environment”.
Additionally, the national agenda has also set a target
for the students to rank among the best in the world in
reading, mathematics and science exams, and to have a
strong knowledge of the Arabic language. Furthermore,
the agenda also aims to elevate the rate of graduation
from secondary schools to international schools, and
for all schools to have exceptional leadership and
internationally accredited teaching staff.
Next Generation of Educators, Innovators and
Thinkers
The primary aim of education should be to prepare
students for the future. Director Rashmi Nandkeolyar
believes that schools should design their curriculum
with the end goal that aims at providing students the
opportunity to be future thinkers and innovators. There
should be an emphasis on the four Cs of the 21st-
century skills needed to move up the career ladder –
creativity, collaboration, critical thinking and
communication. They should encourage students to
have a moral compass and embrace qualities such as
tolerance, grit and resilience.
Director General of Al Ittihad Private School Al
Mamzar, Massimiliano Caruso, believes that all learning
is social and emotional and that his school aims at
piloting a new explicit curriculum designed for students
to learn key concepts about well-being so they can live
healthy and fulfilling lives. He believes that schools
should emphasize upon inclusive education and
positive curriculum education to produce global
citizens. That is what his school has been striving for.
Rashmi Nandkeolyar added, “Schools should also drive
students to take a stand against injustice and contribute
proactively to society with a high level of civic responsibility.
Thus, schools should provide an environment which
promotes rational global thinking, metacognition, life skills,
character building and an attitude of science with a strong
moral learning.”
It is an exciting time to be studying in the UAE right
now!
Aditya Umale
20 February | 2021
T R

24. Neck-breaking skyscrapers, endless desserts and
movie-like luxurious lifestyle are the main reasons
for any tourist to visit the largest city of the United
Arab Emirates, Dubai. Of late, this sixth largest oil
reservoir of the world has also become the fastest emerging
education powerhouse of the Middle East. Representing the
same essence for innovative yet grounded in its roots-type
of education is the Delhi Private School, Dubai.
DPS Dubai
Delhi Private School Dubai is a private, co-educational
institution established in 2003 for the diverse expatriate
community in the UAE. The school is recognized and
approved by the Ministry of Education, Government of
UAE and is affiliated to the Central Board of Secondary
Education, New Delhi, India. The school, located in The
Gardens, Jebel Ali, Dubai, has a massive campus area
of 6.83 acres and provides state-of-the-art facilities to help
students gain an international holistic experience. At
present, the student strength is approximately 3,750.
The school offers a holistic learning programme for
students from KG I to XII. The CBSE curriculum has been
aligned, modified, and enhanced creatively in line with the
vision of the school and the requirements of the UAE. At
DPS, the students are motivated to be responsible global
citizens and sensitised to issues such as environment
conservation, awareness, and respect for other cultures. The
school strongly advocates integration by encouraging an
understanding of Emirati values, culture, and aspirations.
DPS Dubai promotes academic excellence to meet the
challenging demands of a competitive, international
environment. The focus of the child-centred curriculum is
the personalized need of every student. Learning is
experiential and a love for knowledge is encouraged to
enable lifelong learning in a fast-changing world. Research,
innovation, and creativity foster intellectual fulfilment. The
holistic approach to education is reflected in the co-
scholastic programme of sports, debates, quizzes as well as
artistic pursuits. Confidence-building and leadership skills
are encouraged through innovative programmes.
Spiritual and moral growth are enhanced through life-skills
workshops and every day pastoral care. Self-reflection and
goal setting are encouraged for greater focus and result in
thoughtful career choices. The community and parents are
considered important stakeholders in creating a harmonious
system and DPS Dubai encourages their active participation
to help create a vibrant school where excellence is a way of
life.
Vision:
DPS Dubai aspires to be a happy school, where all students
are facilitated to be the best versions of themselves.
Mission:
DPS Dubai zealously promotes a global curriculum
through:
DELHI PRIVATE SCHOOL DUBAI
T he Ascension Grounds for T he Inquisitive
22 February | 2021

25. • Academic Excellence - by encouraging intellectual
curiosity, sustained hard work, rational and critical
thinking, independent learning, and innovative solutions.
• Actualization of Talent - by providing opportunities for
the development of multiple intelligences be it in sports,
arts, or intellectual pursuits.
• Global Citizenship - by educating students to be forward-
thinking and committed to celebrating diversity; skilled at
ethically using technology for collaboration research;
fostering integration by actively advocating Emirati
values, culture, and aspirations.
• Pastoral Care - by providing emotional and spiritual
support, leadership programs, life skills workshops,
confidence-building opportunities, sterling lifelong values
with a deep commitment to being an inclusive school.
Curriculum:
The futuristic curriculum at DPS Dubai, integrates the best
international teaching and learning practices with the robust
CBSE syllabus. As per the Indian curriculum, students take
a range of national and international examinations including
the All India Senior Secondary Examination (AISSE) in
Grade XII, the All India Secondary School Certificate
(AISSCE) in Grade X and the International Benchmark
Tests (IBT) in Grades III to IX. Students of grades XI-XII
are offered a choice of subjects in the streams of science,
commerce, and humanities. Language choices are available
to students in upper primary and exemption/optional
subjects are available for students with special needs.
Students also participate in cyclical international
assessments such as PISA, TIMSS, PIRLS, CAT4 and
PASS, in view of the National Agenda of the UAE.
Infrastructure:
The school boasts of state-of-the-art infrastructure which
caters to the multifarious demands of the modern education
system. To ensure the overall development of students,
these are the academic and non-academic facilities offered
by the school:
1. The school libraries reflect the philosophy that reading is
essential for learning with an impressive assortment of
books on every possible topic.
2. The physics, chemistry and biology labs have state-of-
the-art equipment that bring science to life in tactile and
practical ways.
3. The computer labs are fitted with multimedia kits and
ISDN nodes for internet browsing.
4. The classrooms are equipped with audio-visual aids and
smart boards to make education more dynamic and
interesting.
5. The activity rooms are vibrant and creatively designed to
facilitate the development of the cognitive and motor skills
of students.
Remarkable International Schools in UAE
February | 2021 23

26. 6. The Green Sports Field is a sprawling and much-loved
venue for all outdoor activities.
7. The school has an Olympic-sized indoor temperature-
controlled swimming pool.
8. The school has courts dedicated to volleyball, basketball
and tennis, along with a spacious gymnasium.
Standing Apart
The USP (unique selling point) of the school is its
deliberate focus on encouraging students to have a moral
compass: to have a sensibility greater than themselves and
to have a philanthropic spirit. DPS Dubai is an inclusive
school that welcomes children from all backgrounds and
abilities.
The DPS motto of “Service Before Self” is the inspiration
guiding the school’s value-based curriculum that
emphasizes empathy, responsibility, and caring for others.
DPS Dubai fosters a culture of creativity and innovation
and the leaders have the courage to risk experimentation
and encourage creativity.
DPS is that special place where almost all children actually
like coming to school! The school is dynamic and fearless
in its quest for excellence in the 21st century. A few of the
strong attributes the school has acquired are as follows:
• The top performing school in the UAE based on the
results of TIMSS.
• Among the top 30 CBSE schools across the world.
• Produced an array of toppers and Board rank holders
through the years 2011-2020 with percentages as high as
98.2%.
• Won championships in contests such as Robocar Traffic
Negotiation Division, Star Quiz, Mathalon Competition
and Dubai Customs IPR Awards.
• Awarded the School of Hearts Ambassador and was a
successful part of the Dubai Delegation at IPEN Dallas,
Texas (USA).
• Ms. Rashmi Nandkeolyar, the Principal of DPS Dubai, is
recognised as a “Conservation Leader” and was awarded
the prestigious Distinguished Conservation Leader Award
by DEWA.
• She was honoured for her outstanding leadership and
contribution to education at the 30th Principal’s
Conference of Council of CBSE Affiliated Schools in the
Gulf
Principal of the school, Rashmi Nandkeolyar models a growth
mind-set and follows dynamic and collaborative processes in
building a professional culture in the school and the community.
As the Principal of DPS Dubai, she endeavours to use the school
and the classroom as a safe space to facilitate change in the
mindset of the students to promote effective learning and
innovation. Ms. Nandkeolyar is the driving force for all the
provisions and implementation of an agile and dynamic action
plan across all areas of the curriculum.
She plays a pivotal role in driving excellence in the CBSE board
examination results. Ms. Nandkeolyar has also carefully
orchestrated deep learning that resulted in the exemplary
performance of the school in international benchmarking tests
such as TIMSS and PISA. Her leadership has been deemed
outstanding and was mentioned as the key strength of the
school in the last 10 inspections conducted by DSIB. She has an
abiding interest in drama, aesthetics and has authored five books
for children.
A Guide to Pioneers
24 February | 2021

27. Fore-glimpse
The school has responded to the challenges posed by the
Covid-19 pandemic by resorting to a blended format of
teaching. With the options for teachers to work-from-home,
the school has invested considerably in adopting digital
resources and novel technology. DPS Dubai has also
extended its support to teachers by training them to enhance
their digital skills for virtual classrooms. The school has
made significant investments in placing thermal scanning
equipment and no-contact infrared thermometers for
effective temperature surveillance.
DPS Dubai aims to be an establishment that continues to
prepare students to be informed citizens of tomorrow by
providing a learning environment that is committed to
inclusion, innovation, and integrity. DPS Dubai will be
known as a school that offers students a holistic, rigorous,
and global education for success in an ever-changing world.
DPS Dubai fosters a culture of
creativity and innovation and
the leaders have the courage to
risk experimentation and
encourage creativity
“ “
T R
February | 2021 25

30. Changing
Class
Class
Class
28 February | 2021

31. Dynamics in
srooms
srooms
srooms
The Transition
February | 2021 29

32. irst there was nothing in terms of formal
Feducation. Then came the teacher, a Guru who
took his band of pupils out into the open to teach
things right there where it mattered. When things got
complicated and needed explanation, along came a
board which in all likelihood was brown in the eastern
and mid-eastern context given that we and the rest of
the world below the Mediterranean were sun-baked
and used things sun-baked. Those above the Med
discovered paint and possibly found the colour black to
be most interesting!
For over a century teaching, education and everything
elementary therein had to have a black board to
explain. The more resource-endowed went green a few
decades back. But for the rest, it was always black.
Intermittently there was the computer screen and
screens of myriad dimensions and capacities.
And then in the 20th year of the 21st century came the
virus. In a matter of days, public places including
schools and educational institutions were rendered
soul-less and eerily empty. With schools and
educational institutions closed, pad-locked and
protected, students had only one respite for education.
The ubiquitous gadget screen.
What was till a while an option has today become the
mainstay and from the looks of it may remain so for
quite some time given that the virus has brought about
a scare which makes screens a better option than being
seen in person. Isolation being the only way to control
the spread of the pandemic, the condition may continue
for quite some time.
But how long?? Already the strains of isolation and
staring at a soul-less screen is causing the kind of
fatigue we never imagined. What felt good for a while is
now turning into a nightmare which comes with a mix of
excessive screen time and zero human in-person
interaction. What was in the past ‘started and ended’,
today starts but never seems to end gracefully. You
could earlier speak with the teacher and create a
certain warmth and understanding with the subjects,
but this is totally missing with screen-time. Speaking of
warmth and empathy, you cannot really feel the same in
the absence of real people. Empty rooms and
computers just do not suffice.
Another thing - How does one keep trace of time and
progress vis-à-vis the rest of the classroom? In reality,
you cannot. Part of the feeling of competition comes
from being with people and feeling the vibes. The same
just does not happen in inanimate and cold environs of
machines, how-so-ever ‘intelligent’ they be.
That said, the pandemic did bring its share of plusses in
the field of education, some of which in the context of
poorer countries make a lot of sense. For a start, it has
done away with the need of ‘infrastructure’, the one
thing which defined, distinguished and differentiated
between good and not-so-good schools. Irrespective of
classrooms and even teachers to an extent, the new
form of education can impart decent learning when it
comes to certain streams and subjects.
Education, the online way, can be imparted right where
the student is. This reduces education time right down
to its basics shorn of all the hype and hoopla. For
countries like India and the entire sub-continent where
education at the primary level, is the real problem area
and is the reason behind human resources being way
behind other countries in understanding and in
productivity, education in small booster doses can be
the best way to address the gaps.
The other way in which the recent change in dynamics
in education is helpful is in the form of better teaching
itself. With dedicated learning and development
platforms coming up on the internet with unerring
regularity, the best teachers in the subject need to only
make videos of their content and upload it for the
students. Some, private academies have uploaded
entire content that can educate students to crack
important higher-education exams like IIT-JEE, CET etc.
The changing dynamics of the classrooms in the end
shows us something most of us always knew - that
technology is a two-edged sword which needs to be
handled with care and caution. But if done so, it can
very easily and efficiently take care of the bottlenecks
that plague fields as significant as education and
industry, which in the Indian context remains
pernicious and very deep-rooted.
30 February | 2021
- Purushoutham M
T R

34. Aschool that lets its students grow by shouldering
personal responsibility and discovering their self-
worth on the basis of trust, honesty and mutual
respect produces global citizens who are dynamic leaders
coupled with compassion.
Dubai Scholars Private School is one such school that
inculcates these values and honours the unique
characteristics of each child, embraces the diverse
backgrounds and values of its students to build a strong
multi-cultural community.
History, Mission, Vision
Founded in 1976, Dubai Scholars Private School was built
to serve the primary care needs of the early expatriate
population. Under the direction of the Scholars
International Group, DS has grown from its humble
beginnings to becoming one of the oldest and most
prestigious educational institutions in the UAE.
Scholars International Group is known for providing high
caliber, achievement-orientated schools to develop the next
generation of leaders.
It was a humble beginning for Dubai Scholars, starting from
a villa in Deira. The school expanded with growing demand
and then it moved to two villas and eventually to seven. But
the early nineties saw a surge of students and DS moved
into the full-purpose facility at its current location.
While we will continue to grow ourselves, Dubai Scholars
still maintains the very principles on which the school was
built: respect, intellectual curiosity, action, responsibility.
These principles have allowed us to create an environment
for our students to excel in, assert the school administration.
The school kept growing in leaps and bounds but the vision
and mission has remained constant ever since its inception,
and that is – to provide an exceptional educational
opportunity to all who are admitted to Dubai Scholars.
Vision
The school’s vision is to provide a student-centered learning
environment where children are authors of their own
learning and become authors of their own futures.
Mission
The school’s mission is to prepare students for the
challenges of life, with the critical skills and
communicative abilities to tackle those challenges that have
yet to manifest in this rapidly evolving society. The school’s
goal is to lead students to be confident individuals who are
comfortable in taking risks but have the values to act with
thoughtfulness and humility.
DUBAI SCHOLARS PRIVATE SCHOOL
Exceptional Opportunities to Learn and Grow
32 February | 2021

35. Students are taught tolerance regardless of culture and
beliefs, are inspired to find happiness combined with
academic achievement.
Curriculum and Infrastructure
Dubai Scholars offers the highly regarded National
Curriculum of England following the Edexcel programme
for IGCSE and A Level. It is accredited by British Schools
Overseas, the oversees accrediting body of Department for
Education of England and Wales (DfE) and is a fully
accredited member of the British Schools of the Middle
East (BSME). The BSME is a network of high quality
British international schools in the Middle East region. The
school’s KHDA rating is overall Good with many areas
Outstanding.
The school programme offers students a strong academic
structure and creative outlets to explore and expand their
interests.
State-of-the-art facilities and key learning concepts create
an environment conducive to a dynamic education. Situated
on a 200,000 sq. ft. footprint, in the Al Qusais
neighbourhood, Dubai Scholars boasts a multi-purpose
facility. The campus was specifically designed to support
the school’s mission across its academic plan for well-
rounded students whether in class, on sports fields or in arts
studios. Sections of the campus are zoned for Early Years,
Primary and Secondary students to provide the optimal
setting for learning.
For Overall Development
The campus of Dubai Scholars Private School is always
bustling with activity, full of excitement and overflowing
with life. Sports, languages, performing arts, multi-cultural
interactions, and community service are but a few of the
numerous programmes that balance the academic core to
promote well-rounded student-leaders.
The exposure for Primary students to leadership starts early
through the Junior Student Council and the transition to
Senior School upholds them to exercise their leadership
skills with a greater sense of confidence and passion.
A global and local perspective is an important element in
developing the students at Dubai Scholars. Trips, both short
and long haul add great value, from local adventure related
overnight camps to International Educational trips to places
like Shanghai, Singapore and the NASA visitor centres
offer a unique blend of education and entertainment.
Extensive participation from students at Inter-school
competitions include: Student-led after school extra-
curricular clubs; Buddy tutoring and Community outreach
programmes; Breast Cancer Awareness campaigns; 30X30
Remarkable International Schools in UAE
February | 2021 33

36. Dubai Fitness Challenge just to name a few. Sports Days in
DS centre around the four houses Alpha, Beta, Omega and
Pi.
Excellent coaching for games such as Hockey, Football,
Basketball and Cricket; enthusiastic participation of
students at Business Competitions, Literacy Festivals,
Summer Enrichment Programmes; Model United Nations;
Science Fairs; Art of Giving Campaigns; After School
Clubs; exemplary musical and theatrical performances and
concerts; Student led online portals such as DS Pulse, DS
Green Community; Dubai Scholars Cup, Math Masters;
Academic Boosters – Online Buddy Tutoring Portal,
Teaching our Support Staff Programme (TOSS); Continued
effort by students in schemes that contribute effectively in
sustainability and conservation.
Standing Apart
From its opening four decades ago to the school today the
vision and mission has remained constant – to provide an
exceptional educational opportunity to all who are admitted
to Dubai Scholars.
Dubai Scholars recognizes the importance of continuous
learning not only for students but also for staff. “In order for
the school, educators and students to keep up with changes
in the world, we must also keep current with new
educational directions and best practice is to give students
the education they will need as they go forward into the
world beyond DS," say the school management. To achieve
that goal, DS supports its educators by delivering high-
quality Continuous Professional Development (CPD).
Girl Up Club ignites the empowerment of girls, by girls
around the world. In partnership with the United Nations, it
stands up for girls, speak up for programs that help them
thrive, and rise up as a community of advocates out to
change the world, for good.
The Girl Up club serves as a virtual club during the summer
break and school year and targets raising awareness on
issues faced by women around the world such as domestic
violence, period poverty, glass ceiling in the modern world,
FGM, etc. Since it strives for global gender equality, an
equally important branch of Girl Up Club Dubai Scholars
will aim to tackle the complex issues faced by men from the
stigmatized mental health for men, unrealistic expectations
due to toxic masculinity, etc.
Coping During the Pandemic
Faced with the crisis due to Covid-19, students of the Sixth
Form at Dubai Scholars put their heads together to extend a
lifeline. This was The Academic Boosters, a free of cost
online, one-on-one peer tutoring platform.
So far, over 30 students have been taught by the AB tutors
across 14 subjects. after classes with Academic Boosters,
these students’ performance dramatically improved in their
Term 3 tests. More importantly, their self-confidence
received a boost too.
Under the dedicated leadership of Frank Scarcelli, Principal,
Dubai Scholars’ educators are committed to teaching standards
that allow children to build confidence as they challenge
themselves. Mr. Scarcelli has been an educator for 41 years in
leading schools in Canada, Abu Dhabi and Dubai. His curricular
experience encompasses the National Curriculum of England,
International Baccalaureate, Ontario, as well as Abu Dhabi
Education and Knowledge curriculum. He specializes in building
capacity in schools from within utilizing the energy and
knowledge of both faculty and students. He holds a Master’s
Degree in Educational Management as well as specializations in
Special Education, and Technology.
A Dedicated Leader
T R
34 February | 2021

37. Facilities include:
Swimming Pool
Multi-sports field
Zoned Playgrounds for Foundation Stage
and Primary
Junior Science Lab
Senior Science Labs; Physics, Chemistry,
Biology
Junior Library
Senior Library
Basketball Courts
Two ICT Labs
Auditorium
A good education is the most
important thing we can give
our children
-Aparna Verma, Founder, Dubai Scholars
“ “
February | 2021 35