Sharjah schools get Dh10m upgrade in time for new term

Air conditioners and fresh paint all part of the renovations.

Air conditioners are cleaned at Al Arqam school. Lee Hoagland / The National

SHARJAH // Twenty-three schools are being upgraded as part of a Dh10 million renovation project in Sharjah.

Work began last month on the orders of Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah, said Yousef Al Shuwayekh, director general of Sharjah's Department of Public Works.

"The schools are being renovated to suit the standards and requirements of a good education environment," Mr Al Shuwayekh said.

The upgrades include installing new air-conditioning units and giving walls a fresh coat of paint, said Mohammed Kabeer, who was working at Al Arqam Primary School in El Yash area.

"All these children are like my own and I want them to enjoy their lessons in shining classrooms."

Mohammed Surrour was supervising the installation of a batch of new air conditioners at the school.

"We have about 30 air conditioners in the whole school and every day we do about five," he said.

The work is due to be finished in time for classes starting early next month.

Meanwhile, in Ajman, school renovations are being carried out by the Ajman Education Zone and the Ministry of Public Works, said Hassan Al Marzouqi, the director of buildings and education facilities at the education zone.

"Most schools are ready to receive students," he said. "At least one school, Ammar bin Yasser Primary, is still under renovation but work is expected to be through by the start of the academic year."

Some older buildings needed to be pulled down at Ibin Tayyimiya and Ibn Hazzemi schools, both in the Manama area of Ajman.

As a result, students are being relocated to other Government schools to avoid disruption to classes.

In Umm Al Quwain, authorities from the education zone and Ministry of Public Works allocated Dh5.5m for renovation work at six public schools, said Ayoub Ali, the coordinator of buildings and education facilities at the education zone. As well as tidying up school buildings, lifts and toilets for students with special needs were installed, while contractors checked and corrected electrical wiring.

Mr Ali said a cleaning company would ensure all the classes were in a good condition in time for the new school year.

"The zone is following up with the renovation process and ensuring that each contracted company delivers as required and that there are no delays," he said.