Hassan Cheruppa

Saudi Gazette

 

JEDDAH – The newly elected managing committee of the International Indian School-Jeddah (IISJ) has stepped up efforts to accommodate more students by finding additional school buildings or constructing  buildings on leased land.



As a temporary alternative to meet the growing demand from the Indian community for affordable quality education, the committee has started procedures to introduce a shift system for its kindergarten section.



“Preparations are under way to start a new upper KG batch, most probably on Oct. 1, and a new lower KG batch later in the month,” said Haroon Rasheed, chairman of the committee.



Speaking to Saudi Gazette, Rasheed said the committee does not see a shift system as the best option to meet the community’s demand but only as a temporary alternative until permanent buildings are found.



He said: “The committee members have checked a number of building premises after assuming power in June and are still frantically searching to find ideal buildings with parking lots and other facilities.



“We are also exploring the prospect of leasing land to construct buildings.”



He said negotiations are under way with at least three landlords. “We will strive to get the permission of the local mayoralty or the Ministry of Education to remove any hurdles that stand in the way of clearing the deal.



“The committee members are also using friendship and parent circles in their pursuit to find appropriate school buildings in the city.”



Members of the Indian community, especially low-income parents, expressed relief over the school authorities’ decision to introduce a shift system in March this year.



Many parents expressed happiness over the move as they were struggling to make ends meet in the wake of an exorbitant hike in fees by private international schools.



The school recently obtained permission from the Education Ministry to start a second shift in the KG section.



Accordingly, the authorities invited on Sept. 8 applications from qualified teachers to work in the kindergarten.



The last date for the submission of applications online through the school website (www.iisjed.com) is Sept. 15.



Rasheed said: “Even though the committee conducted tests for teachers earlier, we could hire only a few qualified hands.



“In case we do not get a sufficient number of qualified teachers this time also, we may allow some teachers in the morning shift to work the afternoon shift too as a temporary arrangement.”



The chairman said admission to the upper KG would begin within a few days. Those who applied earlier but did not win a place in a draw held in February this year would be given the opportunity to enroll their children.



Only a small number of applicants could gain admission to the KG classes due to the huge demand and space constraints.



Rasheed said: “Admission procedures for the upper KG section will be completed by the last week of this month.



“We will try our best to accommodate all those who seek admission for a second time.”



The school authorities did not accommodate as many as 900 children who had applied for admission to the KG section in February because of space constraints and a shortage of teaching staff.



IISJ Principal Syed Masood Ahmed told Saudi Gazette that he is keen to ensure the shift system will not affect the academic standards. “The timing of the afternoon shift will most probably be from 1.30 p.m. to 5 p.m.,” he said.



Reacting to safety concerns raised by some parents, he said school authorities also have concerns as the KG section is functioning in residential buildings.