JEDDAH, 28 October 2004 — A new international school, which formally opened here yesterday, is planning to offer hi-tech and exclusive sporting facilities.
“Our plans include constant monitoring of children, both in terms of safety and academic excellence. Our many facilities will include labs for math, science, computer and multimedia, as well as a swimming pool and playground for cricket and other games,” Al-Falah International Delhi Public School Principal Arun Prakash said at the opening ceremony yesterday.
India’s Acting Consul General S.L. Sagar, who was the chief guest, urged the school management to pay utmost attention to children’s safety. He reminded them of the massive fire in a school at Kumbakonam in southern India that took the lives of scores of children.
Farah Sayeed, wife of Consul General Ausaf Sayeed, remarked during a tour of the school that efforts should be made to reduce the load of school bags the children carry daily from home.
She also wanted the school to pay more attention to develop writing and speaking skills among children, as also to their all-round development. Consuls K.M. Kartha (consular) and Ashok Kumar (commercial) of the Consulate General of India, as well as parents were present.
Zia Nadwi, director and one of the managing partners, said the school building was equipped with smoke detectors as a safety measure.
The school, with 170 children and 15 teachers, began its first academic session early last month at the old Okaz building.