No child will be turned away

The Private International English School in Musaffah, just across from the new Dalma Mall, will open its doors to parents at 9am on Sunday. They will stay open until 8pm, reopen the next day at 9am, and every day, except Fridays, until all of the 1,000 places have been filled. The school, part of India's renowned Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan educational network, will be accepting applicants for its kindergarten and grades one to four.

Prospective parents need to take a copy of their child's birth certificate, a copy of their own passport as well as their child's, at least six photographs of their child, and certificates from any previous schools. "We will open for admission every day until we are full," said NK Ramachandran, the school's managing director. "Parents can come see me and our principal, Mrs Rajalaxmy Pillay, any time."

Applicants for grades one to four will sit a half-hour exam in English, maths and science. But, said Mr Ramachandran, "regardless of the entrance exam, I cannot imagine turning a single child away". Kindergarten children will need to show that they can communicate and understand. The school is also near Al Safeer Mall and the Sunrise School. Two phone lines - 02 559 1777 and 02 559 2552 - should be up and running by this afternoon. Parents can e-mail Mr Ramachandran on [e-mail].

@Email:hkhalaf@thenational.a