UAE funds new school in Gaza

Tecom Investments will fund the construction and development of the Gaza school, which can accommodate 100 primary pupils aged between three and six.

A new primary school in Gaza paid for by the UAE will start accepting pupils by the first quarter of next year.

Construction on the school is expected to be completed by December this year or January next year.

The move by Tecom Investments, a wholly owned subsidiary of Dubai Holding, and Dubai Cares, is in support of Dubai Cares’ Adopt a School initiative in Gaza.

Dubai Cares launched the initiative to address the challenges faced by children of marginalised communities in western Nepal and Gaza in accessing quality education.

For the first time, Dubai Cares has given organisations and individuals in Dubai the opportunity to adopt a specific programme in a developing country.

Tecom is one of the first organisations in the UAE to implement the initiative. It will fund the construction and development of the Gaza school, which will accommodate 100 primary pupils aged between three and six and will offer early childhood education in language development, cognitive, emotional and motor skills.

“Through the Adopt a School initiative, we hope to make a positive impact on society and further strengthen our corporate- responsibility imprint,” said Malek Al Malek, chief executive of Tecom Business Parks.

Tariq Al Gurg, chief executive of Dubai Cares, said: “For every individual who has been fortunate enough to enjoy a quality education, the impact of such an investment has been life changing, impacting the individual’s own life, his or her family, the community and country at large.”

Dubai Cares’ efforts reflect the theme of its 2013 Ramadan campaign “End Poverty. Educate Now”.