The schooling dilemma for Pakistanis in UAE

The schooling dilemma for Pakistanis in UAE

The schooling dilemma for Pakistanis in UAE
by Mehmudah Rehman on 02 4th, 2011 | Comments (150)


The two South-Indian girls who live in my apartment building always offer a smile whenever we meet in the lobby or the elevator. I spot them as they stand on the curb, waiting for the school bus and wave to them. The girls look no older than 12 or 13 and I can hear snippets of their conversation. They are talking about the upcoming mid-term exams, as well as who did and didn’t get selected for the school play. The girls speak perfect English, albeit accented and come across as well-groomed individuals. Being a mother of young children always on the lookout for a good school, I finally ask them which school they go to. They name a popular Indian school in the UAE, and the bus arrives and they are off.

According to the ever-expanding Wikipedia, Pakistanis make up 16 per cent of the population in the UAE and by some estimates, in Dubai alone, there are 700,000 Pakistanis. But sadly, the options for educating your children here if you are a Pakistani, are, shall we say, not the most exciting.

Pakistani schools, about seven to eight in Dubai, offer the FBISE, or the Federal Board curriculum – the Matric system which is extremely outdated and people even in Pakistan will usually opt for their children to take their GCEs or O’Levels rather than board exams, if they can afford it.

The Indian schools on the other hand, offer the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) Indian curriculum, and while it certainly has its limitations, it is a system that is constantly reviewed and updated, and is fast gaining respect locally as well as in the West. By contrast, the Matric system is of little value if you go to college or university outside of Pakistan, or look for a job.

Not surprisingly, the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) an independent body which inspects schools across Dubai and then rates them by the following standards: outstanding, good, acceptable, or unsatisfactory, has given Pakistani schools a rather embarrassing rating. Two schools were ‘unsatisfactory’, one was ‘acceptable’. None were rated ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’.

So where does the honest, hardworking, middle-class Pakistani in Dubai educate his child? In the Pakistani schools which have ad-hoc administration (reminiscent of the PCB) and a practically obsolete prospectus? Or in the notoriously expensive upper-tier schools where the majority of the children are Western expats? Or one of those pre-dominantly Arab schools where a Pakistani is put in special Arabic lessons because, well, he cannot even communicate? Or in one of those shady establishments that just about any expat can get into? Admittedly, not all expat schools are disreputable, but the ones with a good rating, an international curriculum and a reasonable price-tag are hard to find and can be counted on your fingers.

What I cannot understand is why we cannot have decent Pakistani schools in the UAE. The Indians for one, have an excellent network of schools in the UAE, as do the British, the Americans, the Germans, the French and even the Filipinos! If you were to opt for an impossibly posh ‘gora’ school (if at all you can afford the hefty price-tag) for your child, where you can sometimes spot Rolls-Royces and Bentleys after school, are you prepared to send your child to the after-school parties where alcohol and promiscuous relations are treated as the norm in higher grades? Or would you choose an Arab school, hoping that your child will learn a bit about religion?

Unfortunately, racism is at its worst in Arab schools and as the mother of a sixth-grade boy in a popular Arab school that offers GCSEs, Sarah, from Pakistan, lamented: “They don’t talk to Ahmad at all. They bully my son during sports and ignore him in class, even though he excels in his studies. But what can we do? The administration is over-powered by the heavy-weight Arab sheikhs who send their kids here, and the staff won’t say a word to the Emarati boys.”

In the Pakistani schools, which cost next to nothing, you find teachers who are unqualified, over-worked and under-paid, and speak in broken English you certainly would not want your child to emulate. Like I mentioned, for Pakistanis, the options for educating your children in Dubai are limited and because of that, you would be hard-pressed to find a place for your child in the few schools that offer quality education at an affordable price.

Mehmudah Rehman is a freelance writer based in Dubai who blogs at Notes to Self.

The views expressed by this blogger and in the following reader comments do not necessarily represent the views and policies of the Dawn Media Group.


















150 Responses to “The schooling dilemma for Pakistanis in UAE”
Older Comments »
Ram Krishan Sharma says:
February 7, 2011 at 12:49

Surely, one day Pakistani Education System will bounce back and will be at the top of the world. When Alexander the Great arrived at Taxila ( Pakistan) in the spring of 326 B.C., he came across a university with school of medicine and philosophy as the main field of study. Later on , Harun al Rashid the famous
caliph of Bhagdad sent his men to study there and invited the local doctors to visit Bhagdad as well. He
translated many of the Indian works of medicine into Arabic. Wait, time will come.
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Shantell says:
February 8, 2011 at 16:50

Excellent reply, just a small clarification TAXILA was INDIA in 326 BC
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A Chowdhury says:
February 7, 2011 at 11:54

Dear Author,

I suggest you to send your kid to an ICSE school in UAE. If you dont mind sending your kid to an Indian school then ICSE is the best because unlike CBSE (which is also very good) ICSE will widen your kid’s outlook and approach more than a CBSE. Afterall, its India’s most standard board. All reputed schools in India like the Doon School, La Martinere, St. James, Sherwood, Bishop Cotton, etc. are ICSE schools.
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Zubair Naseer says:
February 7, 2011 at 11:50

The blog is based on facts; having lived in the middle east i can attest to this.

Right that racism is at its worst in Arab schools but it is not missing in schools in Pakistan either. School administrations are over-powered by the influential ministers, landlords et al and refuse to enforce discipline. Especially the new brand of posh schools.
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Quratulain syed says:
February 6, 2011 at 19:33

I agree with much of what has been said in comments.
1) Muslims in USA who send their kids to local public schools are usually pretty successful in raising their kids as Muslims. So I don’t know why it’s a problem in Dubai, a Muslim country.
2) If the Holy Prophet (PBUH) advised to go to China for seeking education, I agree that I dont understand why Pakistanis can’t send children to Indian schools.
3) I am a product of Pakistan matric system, and so are many of my colleagues who are surviving very well outside Pakistan. I’d surely agree with others that the system needs improvements.
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Moiz says:
February 6, 2011 at 17:34

When you live in any western country and you are not investing in religion for your children by giving them religious information your children’s will not learn much about your religion. Similarly when you are talking about education the parents have to work hard for what their children are learning and keep a close vigil on what they are doing. The strong foundation for any building is laid very early in its inception. Similarly the building blocks for a person are laid down very early in his or her life by his parents. I have been trained in Pakistan and I am proud of what I have achieved. When the baby birds get their feathers and have their first flight they are then on their own. ” Education is what survives when what has been learned has been forgotten”.
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Aamir says:
February 6, 2011 at 11:13

This is a great article with lots of facts that are mostly correct. Indians are indeed in great shape in terms of schooling in UAE. Pakistanis on the other hand have really worrisome schooling system.

I chose to send my boy to a british school here in Dubai. I wouldnt dare sending him to a local one due to bad education reputation.
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FN says:
February 6, 2011 at 10:39

I did Metric and Fsc from DHA school and college in Karachi, which at that time came under Federal Board. I came to the US for Undergrad on a 5 year scholarship as an international student and went on to grad school at Columbia University NY.
I agree that there are issues with our education system and room for improvement, but its not as bad as everyone thinks or as the author is stating. Most of my friends from school and college are doing well within and outside of Pakistan. Its time to re-evaluate our view of Metric and Federal board.
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Mahmood Choudhari says:
February 6, 2011 at 9:53

I think the writer brings out the interesting point. It is rooted in Pakistani education system. The elementary level is the at its worst level. The college level may have some standard however, the lower level up to matric level is not very good. I got graduated from pakistani school in matric school. I received my four years from elgin, Illinois in business management big difference in education system.
actually, no one paid any attention to it. on the other hand i believe Indian education system far more superior than pakistan.
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F says:
February 6, 2011 at 8:59

Just by sending your kids to a ‘Gora’ school does not mean they need to start drinking or have promiscuous relationships. This Pakistani concept of Westerners having no morals is very hallow. And besides, its still U.A.E, an Islamic country.
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Singh says:
February 6, 2011 at 7:35

After reading the whole blog and all the comments, I concluded that:

a. there are some Pakistanis who are pragmatic / peaceful / open enough to go to any school where their children get quality education

b. on the other end of the spectrum, you have shockingly uninfomed people who will blame and belitte everyone and everything, but not look at the mirror !!

c. of course, as it always happens, the majority lie in between — who want to go to good schools — but either cant afford to go to so called “Gorra” schools as they are referred to in the blog — or they do not want to go to an Indian school because how can a Pakistani ever accept that anything Indian is better!! — so they are the confused ones — well the confused need to pick and choose what is important to them because one cannot get everything that one desires – if mantaining anti-India sentiment is important to them, then please dont go to Indian schools.

Thank you — and live, and let live — Peace and Happiness to us all HUMANS !!!
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Ather says:
February 6, 2011 at 7:25

This is the typical case of grass being greener on the other side. No educational system is perfect including Pakistan’s. If the writer feels so mesmirised by the Indian grade school system then she is free to send her kids there. Her kids should be accepted with open arms by the top Western Universities after her kids graduate from Indian high school.

I have worked with graduates from all over the world and there is no fixed criteria which determines the educational success of an individual. I have met India’s hallowed IIT grads with run of the mill knowledge to brilliant East European engineers albeit with little knowledge of spoken english.
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Asim Saeed says:
February 6, 2011 at 4:12

This is just crazy! Ms Rehman is only deploring the state of Pakistani schools in UAE. Thats it thats all and most of us have gone on a complete tangent.

Asim
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Ramana says:
February 6, 2011 at 2:49

I am a parent and have 2 daughters, I would put them in the best school possible regardless of which country the supposedly are run by. Your child’s future and well being is more important that nationalism especially when you are not in your country. The fact that reader lives in Dubai tells me that she has given up some part of her nationalism ideology. Dont let your kids suffer due to your misplaced ideals of your country.
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Farooq says:
February 6, 2011 at 1:07

Excellent write-up! i agree to all of this based on my experience growing up in an arab country (Qatar).

Unfortunately, I had the experience of studying in a Pakistani school (Pakistan Education Centre) based in qatar. They had the Federal board system and matriculation system. The teacher’s were let’s just say not very good at what they did, they used to hit students with sticks on not completing their homework, and on top of all what amazes me today when i think of it is they had English and Urdu medium schools… Can you imagine that? lol
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Mohammad Ali Chadda says:
February 6, 2011 at 0:04

Cant pakistani’s get admission in Indian schools?
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ayesha khan says:
February 6, 2011 at 21:55

They can and several UAE based Indian readers have mentioned here that their kids study with other Pakistani kids in Indian schools. The problem seemsto be that the author is not comfortable exposing her kids to Indians in an Indian school.
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Daud says:
February 5, 2011 at 23:30

hi,
the situation of Pakistani schools in UAE, especially in Dubai, are really embressing and disappointing, if we these schools want to comepte with the others, there is dire need to upgrade and bring themselfe up to standard. Competitaion is good thing if it goes in positive direction.
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Sabeel says:
February 5, 2011 at 21:51

This is really disappointing. I myself was educated at a state school and I know what state schools in my country have to offer. But I have always hoped that at international level, our government would be doing something to show off. Is our government ever going to do something in that regard???
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Naeem says:
February 5, 2011 at 21:39

Our parents were unhappy about the schools where they lived so they sent us away to boarding schools. Why do you live there if you are so unhappy and dissatisfied with your kids schooling. You should seriously consider going back home.
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sanjithmenon says:
February 5, 2011 at 21:38

56% of Indians in UAE are muslims, 26% are Christians. All kids have a secular education. Now Pakistanis the moment they equate India, think of Hindus alonw, then thats their petty problem. No Pakistani i know, understands the influence of South India, on India as a whole.
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Tahir Baluch says:
February 5, 2011 at 21:32

If you’re in a place like Dubai and you’re still thinking about pigeon-holing your children within schools of their nationality, then you’re missing out on the whole point of being in Dubai. I grew up in Dubai, and am a Pakistani. I studied at the International School of Choueifat. There are students of every single nationality. The school is counted as one of the best schools in the world. I know that some of my classmates were extremely poor, and others were very rich. I don’t know prices of other schools, but I think it might be a sacrifice you have to make. It gives you grounding and character, and every university of the world readily accepts you.

No matter where you are in the world, there will be after school parties with liquor. Your kid can or cannot join them. Nobody will force his hand.
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Sana Saleem says:
February 5, 2011 at 21:18

If such is the condition of Pakistan Schools in UAE, this should be given a serious thought on how to improve it. The children in Pakistan schools are studying the same book as were taught years before and this is embarrassing.
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Ravi P says:
February 5, 2011 at 20:41

Humans are humans..how does it matter if we are Indian, Pakistanis, Brits, Arabs. All just want to live in peace and harmony. Culture and religion should be uniting us as humans but unfortunately it happns that it is creating barriers among us. Pakistan has few different cultures, India is like a collection of different countires, so is same for most countries, so just break the barriers when you move out. I live here in US and have many Pakistan, Bangaladesh, Arab and “Gora” friends. Never had any problems and I love to learn and teach about our cultures.

Peace Be Upon all Humans.
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Sridhar says:
February 5, 2011 at 20:31

I do not understand this indian school , pakistan school concept, I am from india living in belgium, often goes to Restaurants (pakistani) and buys groceries from Stores (pakistani), Am i doing Crime ?
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Rohit says:
February 6, 2011 at 10:36

Going by your atrocious English (“often goes to restaurants”; “buys groceried”; “am I doing crime?”), appreciation of subtle differences between schools is not your cup of tea. Your thoughts are noble, nevertheless!!
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aruni says:
February 6, 2011 at 10:01

the concept is of education boards….like we have in india cbse,icse,etc…etc…
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Rashid Bashir says:
February 6, 2011 at 9:44

Yes you are. I believe you should stick to Indian restaurants and Indian grocery shops.
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Munawar says:
February 6, 2011 at 6:42

Sridhar
Pakistanis prefer to send to pakistani school for many reasons, e.g to learn Pakistani history, Islamic lessons, being with their own, support their team and so on…there is nothing wrong with Indian education or indians, i live in USA and though my kids go to public schools but we try our best that they learn Urdu, love pakistan and don’t lose their identity.
My 8 yr old son’s good friend is an Indian, my neighbors are Indians with whom we have good relations with, we go to Indian groceries, restaurants and enjoy Indian movies, I also work with Indians….all that is good…..
We like you but still like to beat you in sports…imagine if my kid went to an indian school and started supporting Indian team in sports…..I wouldn’t wish that on my enemy
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Arun Pilania says:
February 6, 2011 at 18:08

Lol
Appreciate your style of argument… Seriously, as long as sports is the only rivalry & imbibing national history and culture is the motive, I second your thoughts. One should never be ashamed of his/her roots
Love & Peace !
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raju says:
February 6, 2011 at 5:18

I too eat in Pakistani restaurants and buy from Pakistani shops. I dont know about belgium but here in Saudi Arabia we do have restaurants and grocery run by Indians n other nationals but we dont have any reservations to go to Pakistani owned establishments. But some of our friends across the border feel its below their dignity to have anything Indian. In short we call it FALSE PRIDE.
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Brijesh says:
February 5, 2011 at 20:10

Honestly guys – this blog reeks of racialism and very parochial nationalism!. If the author wants her children to study the “Pakistani way”, why not go back to Pakistan? You want Dubai petro dollars, Indian excellence in schooling, but want to filter out everything else that comes along…

Amazing attitude! Seriously.
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Deep says:
February 5, 2011 at 19:10

Mehmudah – children find a workable equation. My daughter’s best friend was a Pakistani girl (both studying in an Indian school) – it was accepted that the friend would support pakistan on all crucial issues such as cricket and …whatever – but that has never been an issue between them. Politics are religion are not topics du jour for teenage girls. The girl is now studying to be a doctor in the USA – and they continue to be in touch. The problem you face is real but do not be afraid of any loss in identity – the home and family plays a bigger role in the child’s upbringing.
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A S says:
February 5, 2011 at 15:12

As someone who was raised in the UAE and went to an Indian school, I can honestly say that these were some of my best friendships and there was no issue of discomfort as one commentator points out. Kids just don’t care. My problem came when I moved back to Pakistan after my 9th grade and had to repeat a year since it was not acceptable to any board. So my parents ensured that my siblings moved to the GCE system. So I say put your kids in Indian schools initially, they will definitely come away with fewer prejudices than the stunning ones i encountered about Indians once back in Pakistan
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Syed Zeeshan Ali says:
February 5, 2011 at 13:48

I am a Pakistani and was raised in Sharjah U.A.E. got education from Pakistan College Sharjah in the eighties. Our Teachers at that time came from a very solid educational background of the sixties. They were presentable, qualified and spoke excellent English. The problem lies with the Ministry of Education in Pakistan, they have not the changed the syllabus with times. I can never imagine my child going through the same books which i had done for my SSC and HSSC. This is the reason most Pakistani’s living in middle east opt for British-American Curriculum if they can offered. Lately i have seen most of them even opting for Indian Schools. Its an absolute tragedy.
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Adil says:
February 5, 2011 at 13:41

Such narrow minded thinking you are best off in a Pakistani school! I send my kids to an intrnational school and am very glad tat his friends include arabs, aussies & indians.
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salam says:
February 5, 2011 at 13:17

All the comments and analysis may be right. there is a weakness and need to be addressed. I hope someone from Govt. come forward and say they will sort it out with the help of local residents. Unity is utmost to get the issues resolved… and people with concern, should keep on raising their voices.
good luck
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Asif says:
February 6, 2011 at 0:15

Why do Pakistanis always look to the govenment? There are some very good private schools in Lahore and other big cities. Why can’t Pakistanis set up similar private schools in UAE?
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H.M.Parekh says:
February 5, 2011 at 12:46

The difference btwn the two contries is the education .
I request The Principal of the Indian school near lady’s house
to admit the child and give him good education.
I am of the view that only educaton wl solve the problems
btwn two contries and not religion.
Pl keep religion at home.
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Amit says:
February 6, 2011 at 8:37

Its not about religion ! Indian schoold with a CBSE syllabus must be teaching Indian history. So they will learn about Maharana, Shivaji, Bhagat Singh and may end up calling Gandhi as their father of nation. All they will learn about Qaid is that he partitioned the country and messed it up. Can Pakistani’s compromise this?
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Kamran Alam says:
February 5, 2011 at 21:07

Very well said Mr. Parekh.
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Syed Ali Raza Shah says:
February 5, 2011 at 13:30

It would be a good idea to educate our next generation in Indian Schools. Atleast that will help in doing away with the animosities between the two countries in the long run.
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Umesh says:
February 5, 2011 at 13:15

The writer didn’t say that the Indian school refused admission to her child. In fact the impression reader gets is that the author doesn’t want to admit the child in an Indian school because she wants a Pakistani school for her child and hence never approached an Indian school.
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Adeel Qureshi says:
February 9, 2011 at 2:48

I do agree with Parekh. I live in US and just attended my Sikh friends wedding in Gurdwara. Did I do any crime? Let me tell you something guys, India has a very big population and different religions as well, so does USA. People from different ethnic and religious background go to same public school, where they are not teaching different religion. Religion is taught at home so does your culture. School in Dubai or States wont teach you your religion. Btw, going to so called “Gora” school in Dubai or in US does not mean that your kids will start drinking and gambling etc. This is your own teaching which you have to teach at home, what is good and what is bad, so dont blame any country’s school or school system of that country. Please grow up and change your thinking, be more positive and broad minded so your kid can make you proud in this world.
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Tahir says:
February 5, 2011 at 12:26

Mrs. Rehman raised valid concerns about the lower standard of education provided by the schools of pakistani community.Being a layman she uttered panicly,right now an agony for any average pakistani citizen.However, she mingled so many things and over-emphasized the comparitive view with that of indians or western school systems.One of the concrete solution is that we must raise well managed and repeated voices to solve our issues.We have a dilemma,that is,mostly we feel bitterness only when we meet problems personally.When we have a solution for our personal issues we go to sleep and close our eyes for whatever goes on in our surroundings.We avoid systems and use to concrete only individuals and selected families(only 22 families in pakistan).When we have thought that we must strengthen our instituitions?Have we a bit of hatred for nepotism that ruins the institutions?For me we must think not only for ourself but also for the whole community.We will never be succeeded untill we will not seek the solutions collectively.Its a rule of thumb to seek the solutions for our everyday problems.For God sake, please pay attention to QUALITY EDUCATION in Pakistan.
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Indian American says:
February 5, 2011 at 12:21

We subcontinentals have a weired idea about education. The word means to bring forth what is inside. What we have been doing in last few hundred years is to stuff inside whatever comes from outside mainly from alien rulers and culture. Alien Macaulays are successful beyond their dreams. Here in US syllabus and structure in schools was decided by what industrial assembly lines dictated and produced zombied out brutalized folks who can take their position on the assembly lines in the factories. Creativity was curtailed and so they had to bring in fresh immigrants from other countries. Organic milk farmer from whom I get milk makes sure that his kids work with the cows every day after school and also deliver milk if necessary. Kids are extremely healthy, well natured, loving and blissful compared to my own kids who go to privates school which costs me $ 25K /kid/per annum. I may be doing something wrong even at home.
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Ram Mohan Roy says:
February 5, 2011 at 12:09

My sincere advice to you is, please send your children to an Indian school provided they can get admission there. I am pretty certain that unlike Arab schools, your children will not be bullied there and some Indian children will definitely converse with them in Hindi/Urdu/ Punjabi and share some curry and chapaties with them as well. This will improve love and friendship between the two nationalities.You can teach your children religion at home by private tution.
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Muhammad says:
February 5, 2011 at 11:52

Get the best education for your kid. IQRA. Give a man a fish, you will feed him for a day.Teach a man , how to fish you will feed him for alife time. At the time of independence, Pakistan has got 3 colleges, India has got 88 Colleges. This difference in education is still obvious. Get your kid educated in iNDIAN school. In religion, education has no boundaries for learning. Train the kid, to be a better Muslim /Human being.
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Maimoona Azhar says:
February 5, 2011 at 11:28

I have experienced this situation myself when i was a student. I studied in a Pakistani school until mid of my 5th Grade in Muscat and at that time the school was good with qualified teachers and a good administration, later I heard its administration changed for worse. My father was transferred before that and we fortunately had only an Indian School in the town we were sent. That school was the best that Allah blessed me with. The CBSE curriculum is great! but unfortunately for those who have to come back to Pakistan for their graduation or intermediate..CBSE is not acceptable so they have to go back to the Federal Board system. I believe for those who cannot afford GCSE for their kids they can give a great foundation to their children from some Indian School and then in 9th grade move them to federal board. This will be frustrating for time being during the matric years but the foundation that the primary and secondary classes will give to your child will prepare him for all times to come InshaAllah. I have seen a number of people, whose parents followed this strategy, successfully settled in their life and career as doctors and engineers from best Universities in Pakistan and even abroad!
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Amar says:
February 5, 2011 at 11:26

I hope the author realizes that just because your kids go to a “Gora/Western” school does not mean they have to partake in activities which she does not feel are appropriate as a parent. I live in the USA, and did most of my schooling here. I don’t appreciate the view that many Paki’s have about Gora’s/Causians not having any morals. Just like any responsible/good Pakistani Parent, no responsible “Gora” parent would want their kids doing anything that would jeopardize their future.

Parents need to understand: kids will be kids, and may not always listen to them. That is just a universal norm. Children can partake in illicit/illegal activities anywhere, including Pakistan. Just because you are sending your kids to a Pakistani school will not gurantee that your kids will not stray from the “straight” path.
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Rafey Sattar says:
February 6, 2011 at 3:32

Very true!
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B. S. Sridhar says:
February 5, 2011 at 11:08

The role of education is to eliminate prejudice, dispel ignorance, and ultimately, liberate one’s mind. Keeping in mind that you want to do the best for your children by providing them decent education, may be you should come to terms with your limitations. Does the idea of sending them to good quality, affordable Indian schools challenge your long held fears, pre-conceptions, pride? Often it is human to resist behaviors that challenge our self-concept even if the price is right? I can list Hindus who are afraid of sending their children to well run institutions by people of other religions. Like Pakistanis, many Indians prefer the gora institutions over non-gora institutions by paying a premium price. Give it a try, May be the next generation of Pakistani and Indian kids will grow up with less mutual fear, less prejudice, and more liberated mind. It is good for children descending from both countries.
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Nauman Shaukat says:
February 5, 2011 at 10:52

Very well written. Tells you where we place Education in our list of national priorities. I live in Kuwait and the situation here is exactly the same. So many times this issue has been brought to the attention of govt representative here, but unfortunately they refuse to even admit that there is a flaw or at least room for improvement in our educational structure. As a result, as much as ppl would not want to but they have to send their kids to British, American, or even Indian schools for better education. However, there are so many trade offs with that option.

Bahrain is the only place I’ve seen in this region where educated and learned members of the Pakistani community have taken over responsibility of managing the Pakistani schools and are doing quite well.
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adil says:
February 5, 2011 at 10:48

If you are living in UAE, how do patriotism and culture questions arise when choosing a school for your kids? You have already muddied the decision about what is the “best education” for your kids by these other goals. Send the kids away to Karachi or wherever so they can get meet all your educational and cultural goals. With kids away, your married life and outlook on the modern, globalized life might even improve.
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S.Habeebullah says:
February 5, 2011 at 10:33

When I visited my home town of Lahore I noticed a contempt for Indians but the Indian students I met in Europe were more open less caught up in religion. I agree with Nazeema, J.Krishnamurti is a great philosopher , his contribution to education is truly remarkable. I watch him on youtube. In the beginning it shakes your foundations but later it teaches you about the central place of love in teaching.
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Nazeema Aziz says:
February 5, 2011 at 10:26

Our problem is we are not really interested in education. Indians dont mix religion with education. That is rare in India. And they have produced great Educational Philosophers like J.Krishnamurti.

Go to Youtube and listen to him speak. If you love your child and want to him/her good education read his books.

With best wishes
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rk singh says:
February 5, 2011 at 9:37

I think pakistanis should try and mingle with Indians where-ever possible(at least in schooling). As it is, pakistan does not have a good reputation world-wide.

Studying in Indian schools will make them more competitive in the modern world. Gora and Arab schools are waste of time as Md.Rehman mentioned. Indian muslims are comfortable with this kind of schools. Dont find the reason why pakistani muslims should feel estranged. After all, the two races are brothers (pakistani and indian muslims). In fact many Indian muslims celebrate when ever Pakistan defeats India in cricket.
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DL says:
February 5, 2011 at 8:39

Seems like the writer’s sense of patriotism/nationalism is not secure enough which thereby limits choices. I’m Sorry that the kid has to suffer for the parent’s limitation.
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Shakeel.Quddus says:
February 5, 2011 at 8:31

Is it possible to have access to “Quality Education” without filing for bankruptcy? Yes, even in an ethnically divided enclave. First a little clarity. Almost everybody knows that Japan did better than the United States from 1950 till 1990. Then the tide turned. Now everybody knows that Microsoft, Netscape, Apple and Google have been American inventions just to name the few without touching the base in medicine and airospace. Would anybody be surprised if China, India and Japan are caught red handed replicating American educational and technical institutions? What then is the common theme in the American learning centers? Not just to think but to think critically. Let the others waste time follow the beaten path of memorization. So a good school is a place where the students critical faculties are called for.
But before the good school do the crucial work, the family plays the most critcal part in education. The great film director Francis Ford Coppola, at the age of 15, would go to bed weeping that he didn’t have any talent.
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Tahir Rizvi says:
February 5, 2011 at 3:33

Unfortunately Pakistan as a nation is not paying much attention to education both within the country and outside the country. Attention of the Pakistani nation is focused on emotional issues of religion, minorities, ethnicities, political conflicts and similar issues which have little to no impact on the day to day life of our economy, development, people, children and the future. Countries to our west, east and south are more focused on their national development and education then we are. Our politicians keep our national Government involved, bogged down & besieged in these kind of frivolous issues and saving their regimes that it does not allow them much time and attention to focus on the real nation building and progress of nation itself.
We have major work to do for the education of our children both within and outside of Pakistan. We do have a department of education but their budget has not kept pace even with the cost of living increases and inflation. The results are obvious, our schools are in poor shapes, labs are out dated or nonexistent and teachers are under paid and in many cases incompetent.
Pakistani Embassies should encourage, organize, and facilitate the big Pakistanis communities in countries like UAE to establish educational institutions. I hope our Ministry of education will pay attention and take initiative to be proactive and change the existing deterioration of our education both within and outside Pakistan. Our defense budget has grown multifold while our education budget is being neglected.

We need urgently balancing of our national priorities
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Youshay says:
February 5, 2011 at 21:07

Thank you Rizvi sahib for you beautiful comments. The mass education within the country is drastically lacking. Educated mass is harder to control. We will be demanding jobs and opportunities that the government is not willing to provide. It may bring a revolution.
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vijay, India says:
February 5, 2011 at 15:31

All “MODERN” religions should be taught in schools like Chemistry, Physics, Maths, English, Life science etc.
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Tahir Rizvi says:
February 7, 2011 at 9:22

Mr. Vijay, freedom is a privilege worth respecting. You are free to participate in Pakistani internal discussions. Thanks to Dawn. I hope you will respect it and give constructive and sincere comments. THANKS.
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verming says:
February 5, 2011 at 13:31

While I agree to most of the things that you have stated except for the “politician” part don’t blame the politician for every mess,what about private initiative you guys have shunned not only Jinnah but also Sir Syed.
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Mansoor Iqbal says:
February 5, 2011 at 3:09

I am a Pakistani and was born and raised in Dubai, U.A.E. Indeed the standard of Indian Schools there in UAE are pretty high. I went to Our Own English High School, Dubai from KG to class 4. I think thats the best decision my parents made.I later completed my studies from an O’level school. I moved on to USA for my higher studies.I am now a graduate from University of Houston. I would encourage you to put your kids in an Indian School for atleast the first 6 years, they will thank you later
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Junaid Iftikhar (canada) says:
February 5, 2011 at 2:55

Is broken speaking english a bad criteria for to be educated….certainly not….when are we pakistaniz gonna realize that???
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Manish says:
February 5, 2011 at 1:43

I advice one and all to focus on the quality of education offered by the school than nationality. The reality on the ground is, that Indian schools are a little better than the Pakistani schools… I see no reason for a Pakistani parent to send his kids to Indian school, as Indian education system is fairly secular in nature and content.
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Human Being says:
February 5, 2011 at 16:18

You have to check your statement. Not for sure the History is secular in content or fair in nature.
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Vidyut says:
February 5, 2011 at 1:12

Another possibility is homeschooling/unschooling. There are plenty of resources online, and if a parent is willing to invest time with their child and learn together, it can be highly rewarding. Not to mention some of the sweetest and best mannered kids are homeschoolers, because they don’t learn from the judgmental attitudes plaguing schools workwide.
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pakistaniamerican says:
February 4, 2011 at 22:31

The issue is not off Pakistani or not but having to afford it. There are many great schools in Dubai, however, they are out of reach for Pakistanis since so many of them come to Dubai at a very low wage. I lived in Dubai for a couple of years and send my sons to Raffles, which is a great school with international standards. I live in US now and I can tell you that school such as Raffles, Royal Academcy, etc. has a much higher standards.

For those folks who don’t want to them to “Arab” schools – I recommend they go back to their “non-Arab” nation
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Khadim Khan says:
February 4, 2011 at 22:27

I do not understand the logic put forward by the author in respect of education. When we say education, it is universal and crosses all borders. It has nothing to do with religion, nationalism or cultural compatibility and unless you come out of your exclusiveness, conservatism, ideological mind-set, you will never find a school that educate your kids as good human beings and citizens of the world human society. I am living in hte North America and my kids go to public schools just as the mainstream people of society and I have not noticed any difference regarding education. However, the problem arises when you become extremely conscious of your own so-called ethnocentric values and then you look for Arabic or your own schooling system or other alternatives.
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Kamal says:
February 4, 2011 at 21:50

I think it is better to choose an Indian school because your child can easily adjust to the environment and he will not be treated as an outsider. You have to choose best for your child which you can afford. I didn’t have a choice so I moved to Canada. Now I am happy that I made a good decision for my child.
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anil says:
February 5, 2011 at 10:17

Yes, put your kids in an Indian school. After all both Pakistan & Indian basic culture is the same and Indians personally love Pakistanis. It’s only the Jehadi’s who are disliked even by Indian muslims but any ordinary law abiding citizen is welcome as a good friend, companion, collegue etc, etc,
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Aslam says:
February 4, 2011 at 21:48

Good knowledge and good education can not be binded to curlture, race, religion, nationality. Whereever you get it go for it.
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Adnan says:
February 4, 2011 at 21:33

I would suggest you people to go for other national schools. It is in fact an opportunity for your kids to learn diversity of education. Why you are finding pakistani standard education in other countries? Let Govt to develop the standard of education in our country first. And english is not a criteria to judge the standard of education.
enjoy your time and grab the opportunity of international standard education for your kids.
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Abdul Basit says:
February 4, 2011 at 21:16

I have cousins in dubai they study in an Indian school I dont see anything wrong with them culturally. But yeah they do have that Indian touch to their english accent (no offense to indians). And for religious studies they have a tutor and they are doing fine. I believe real education starts from home.
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SAQI says:
February 4, 2011 at 21:15

I think Pakistani schools should start operations in UAE asap, there is a huge market and requirement for them.

Also, as for Indians, I am sorry but our culture is quite a bit different from yours, 47 was not an error, it was a division based on two distinct culture, we have similarities and I have many Indian friends, but we still have our own identity that we are proud to preserve!
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raju says:
February 6, 2011 at 5:45

To me you look confused and not confident of your own identity. People with an identity don’t need to speak aloud. Not a single person on this blog has any doubts about your identity as a separate nation or your special culture. I too have pakistani friends in saudi arabia but they are not like you with a closed mind. What is good we appreciate and what needs to be condemned we do it. The world has moved on and your still stuck in 47.
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Robert says:
February 5, 2011 at 17:44

Dear SAQI
In your point of view you have taken education as a bussiness and not as a knowledge gaining center. One shouldn’t keep in mind a goal of starting new shcools because the market is demanding it but to give good standard of teaching to the students in the school where the childrens can build their strong knowledge of foundation for their future.
Before 47, our culture was showing us that we used to treat all our living passions of life with equality, unfortunately after 47 Pakistan forgot all the culutures and left with only religion. It is not enough in today’s world to live with dignity.Indeed it is an unfortunate.
SAQI BAI I am sorry to say this.
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ayesha khan says:
February 5, 2011 at 9:48

You have every right to be proud of your own culture. But then people have to give their kids the best education that they can afford. If the best affordable education is in an Indian school then that is what the parents should do so without hesitation. If international schools can be afforded that is what the parents cshould give the kids. Ultimatey if you are living in another country, getting exposed to some diversity for yourself and kids should be considered an opportunity not a problem,
Nothing prevents you from instilling your cultural values for kids in your homes. After all isn’t it what all desis do for their kids in UK, USA and Canada?The advantage in UAE is that it is a Muslim majority country so the Islam is all around them.
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DL says:
February 5, 2011 at 8:34

Thank God you have your identity. We, respectfully, would like no part of it. ’47 was not an error – it was God’s gift.
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Karan says:
February 5, 2011 at 1:25

Indians do not have one culture, culture changes in India every 10 miles, and so does in Pakistan. So we are 100% same from that perspective. Every single person has his or her identity and works towards bettering it and not preserving it.
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Rytham says:
February 5, 2011 at 0:09

Dear Sir,
Knowledge doesnt have different identity, where ever if you are getting knowledge please try to absorb or share it
please never keep a boundry for that.
indians or pakistanis or any other nationalities, please make sure that your child is getting fare respects and knowledge
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Ashar says:
February 4, 2011 at 20:31

Hi,

I am a Pakistani raised in the UAE, i only attented a Pakistani school (FBISE) for 2 years and quit, then later on i went to a British (GCE) school and got my education from there. All my siblings have gone to a GCE British school as well since beginning. I got my Bachelors from NJ, USA and work for the city of New York as a Civil Engineer. I completely agree with the writer on every word he said. This article paints the perfect picture of educational system in the UAE. Our schooling system like our country is obsolete and outdated, would never recommend anybody to go to a Pakistani school. Indian schools on the other hand are way better than ours thats why they can all afford great education at an affodrable price. But poor Pakistanis over there have no choice but Pakistani schools and I feel sorry for them.

Regards,
Ashar.
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Alamgir says:
February 4, 2011 at 20:25

In my humble view, while living in a multicutural society like the one in Dubai, one has to think beyond borders. My sons go to one of the GEMS schools and they have such a rich mix of cultures studying together. Europeans, Africans, Asians all together. We already suffer from so much divide back home, do we really have to bring the “divides” here. I say No.
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ashwin says:
February 5, 2011 at 9:19

Spoken like a parent who cares about the child’s success as an international citizen.What better way to introduce Pakistan to the world then through young fearless Pakistani kids, who can dream without any inhibitions
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Anto says:
February 4, 2011 at 20:17

I don’t think this issue should be given this much importance. That people just go crazy about their nationality and religion is absurdity. If you really care your child to get a good education, send your kid to a good school, no matter what management the school has.
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DM says:
February 4, 2011 at 20:16

One should not rely on schools to instill culture, values and healthy nationalism in children. If practiced at home regularly, kids will get all that – at their own pace but get it they will.
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A Abbasi says:
February 4, 2011 at 19:56

I feel sad for Ms. Rehman. On hand she seems worried about education but on the other hand she has all these narrow minded issues like “Indian” and “gora”. I live in US and I can tell you this, humans are humans. We all have same desires and hopes for our children. With that said, a lesson from most conservative portion of White American culture; they home school thier kids. If Ms Rehman is so worried about the standard, then think about organizing similar parents and teach kids at home. After all, kids are parents responsibility not someone else.
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zainab says:
February 4, 2011 at 19:25

To give your children not just a good but, an “excellent” education one needs money, this applies anywhere in the world. You get what you pay for, it’s a sad, but true fact. In the UK, most state schools have classes of 30 pupils plus, whereas in the private system, its no more than 20.There’s no better investment than your children. If you can’t find a decent school,or can’t afford one then school them at home instead, books on how to do this are widely available.
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david says:
February 5, 2011 at 12:54

this is not true. in uk,if a child is poor but intelligent,he can go to grammar schools which is free.I know my son does go to grammar school.
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zainab says:
February 6, 2011 at 1:14

David, yes, they may be free, not everyone lives within the catchment for a good grammar school, and of course they are in demand, as is any other good school , and on top of that your child will need to pass an entrance exam, and then the classes consist of 30 plus kids. In my meek opinion, Private is best!!!
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Mathew, Yanbu, KSA says:
February 4, 2011 at 19:06

Please, pleeeeeeeeees read, the writer is just lamenting about the lack of Pakistani schools in a Dubai. Anyone reading the article with a little common sense will understand the writer weighed all options including sending her children to all sort of schools. Still she wished, had there been a good Pakistani school to send her kids! Nothing wrong in it… Like Farhan commented, there is a scope (market) for low-cost,high quality Pakistani schools in Dubai! let someone invest… good luck.

In the article there is nothing to bring in the nationalism or the religion, because all Pakistanis are not Muslims.
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ayesha khan says:
February 5, 2011 at 9:51

All Pakistanis are not Muslim but 95% are. So this is a reasonable assumption.
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dddeeee says:
February 5, 2011 at 5:47

Thats the one of the best comment among all futile speeches made by some so called wise people. Writer has made an attempt to realise you people that there is a serious problem of education in UAE for Paksitani kids. Bloggist has just discussed all the possible aspects of an issue. Dont make it the matter of race, religion and culture and if you are really a saviour of your culture and norms make yourself able so you can’t lament like this and instead be a proud of being Pakistani.
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ayesha khan says:
February 6, 2011 at 22:00

I think the other responses are not irrelevant. The writer in fact has made the issue about race, religion and nationality or else she would have no problem admitting her kids to international or Indian schools. And the people are telling her that she will not have a problem is she broadens her thinking and allows her kids to go to Indian/international schools.
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nadeem khan says:
February 4, 2011 at 18:46

It is great irony that we compete with our ” hamsaya mulk ” in arm race but we do not compete with them in education and democracy.To progress we must reform our mentality.
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GKrishnan says:
February 4, 2011 at 18:08

Makes me squirm when Pakistanis say they dont want to send their children to an Indian school. Before taking such a sweeping decision, why not give it a try? What do you stand to lose ? Is it Islamic practices ? – Better check on that with the Muslims of India.
How long do the Pakistanis want to tell the Indians, ” we are not like you people “. You could start by reading ” Igniting young minds ” by the former President of India, Abdul Kalam.
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Vinny, India says:
February 5, 2011 at 21:11

You sound as if Indian schools are dying to take in Pakistani children. Indian schools are meant for Indian kids first. Any vacancies, children of Indian origin should get top priority. For instance, Malaysian Indian parents send their children to Indian schools in Middle East. Indian schools take in children from other nations mainly on availability basis. In Oman, for a no. of years until Pakistani school was established, Pakistani children used to attend Indian schools only. I see no reason for Indian citizens to lose sleep over where Pakistanis educate their children. I wonder if there is even a single Indian muslim parent who would willing send his/her child to a Pakistani school !
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Ali Agha says:
February 4, 2011 at 17:36

Even the good rating in UAE is not at par with an international level standards.
Beaconhouse, claim to be the largest private school operator in the world, owned by Pakistanis is now helping ADEC, Abu Dhabi Education Council to improve standards of their schools.
In general, the schooling in UAE is like a firework at Burj Khalifa, which only remains englightened at a certain cost and height.
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Sunil Gautam says:
February 4, 2011 at 17:18

I think a lot of people have already addressed your so called dilemma. Step out of your “my country, my school’ syndrome and send your kids where they deserve to be – Indian or other schools. You are adding an unnecessary cultural angle to a basic issue. I live in Sydney and we have no such ‘options’ but at the same time we don’t have such hang-ups also.
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salma says:
February 4, 2011 at 17:06

what about abu dhabi, is the situation bad there as well?
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Mike says:
February 4, 2011 at 17:04

Why don’t Pakistanis put their children in Indian schools in the UAE? Is it about politics? Being an Indian my best friends are Pakistani expats!
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A proud Hindu says says:
February 4, 2011 at 16:47

At last someone is showing mirror to masses. On many people commenting so negative about India, at least someone have guts to write so positive, and last but not least to print it by Dawn is also appriciabel.
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A proud Muslim says:
February 5, 2011 at 13:52

Its not mirror my dear but fact and it shows we have the guts to accept where we have not improved. I really doubt that ability from your side.

Cheers.
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rohit says:
February 4, 2011 at 16:17

the reason for this is demographics
At least when I was in the Middle East, a very large chunk of Pakistanis were laborers and most were bachelors or lived that lifestyle. Hence the numbers (kids) did not add up for investing.
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Sarah says:
February 4, 2011 at 15:57

Bravo atleast someone brought this up! Its such an eternal dilemma. One comes here thinking that there will be soo many options and the situation is exactly opposite.

Maybe there are one or two schools that offer O levels and Urdu and an environment which is somewhat Pakistani, but then the quality of academics is doubtful Ive moved my daughter around so many times bec im confused. If one is strong on academics, the other is strong on religious conservative values, a third on extra curricular. You have to choose in between all these as to what is important to you. And when one factors in costs and distances and timing it really is a hair puller.

And the bottom line is that decent schooling is REALLY expensive. People living in Pakistan are very lucky bec some of the great schools are really not pricey at all. Ive made my decision based on academics and cost and trying to teach religion at home and extra curric on weekends! Which is hard when you are living in an apartment!
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Ghausia says:
February 4, 2011 at 15:48

I don’t get it, why not just send your kids to an Indian school? I have family there, my something something removed cousin is an Indian Muslim, she’s pretty smart and educated, her school sounded impressive. And sending your kids to an Arab school so that they learn about religion is just silly, Arabs are the biggest and best partiers ever. The promiscuous boozing parties you mentioned in gora schools are commonplace among the Arabs as well, although I have a cousin in Bahrain who sends his kids to one of the posh gora schools, and his children are marginally well-adjusted good kids.
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Rashid Aurakzai says:
February 4, 2011 at 15:39

When you admit Indian Schools are excellent why be so nationalistic to ruin your child future. Pakistan Embassy School and Comprehensive School have never been good since my memory of them from 1984. Our Own English High School was first choice of educated Pakistani Schools and I hope its there now too. Culturally we are more near to Indians than to Arabs. Religion or Nationalism doesn’t ask you to be irrational.
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Sb says:
February 4, 2011 at 22:18

Somehow, the topic of educating our children brings out the best and broadest range of ideas from people. Completely agreed here.

The only thing you can give your kids that will last them a lifetime is an education. Everything else can be squandered or lost. Make intelligent choices.
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Faust says:
February 4, 2011 at 15:22

If the attitudes expressed in this article towards other cultures are a summation of Pakistani ideas of inclusiveness, intellectual investigation and tolerance I’m not surprised you can’t find any descent Pakistani schools.
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Anonymous says:
February 4, 2011 at 14:10

Well…The fact of the matter is that you have to accept what you get. It was your own personal decision to move to Dubai so maybe you should have considered that when you were planning to move. If you can’t find something that suits you, c’est la vie….
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Suhaib says:
February 4, 2011 at 15:03

Great… so you are saying that instead of addressing the issue… one should just avoid it.
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A Dansk Hindu says says:
February 4, 2011 at 16:57

Great sensible person you are, live on in your world. Rest of the world will progress and what you suggest stay in your walls. No wonder you are anonymous. I am Danish (originally from India) and my kids are in Danish schools speaking Hindi, English and Danish. We live as Asian at home practicing Hinduism, but at work we are equally as, Danish should be. That what brings respect to you and to your nation of origin.
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Sharib says:
February 4, 2011 at 14:09

I am sorry, but I do not able to understand the mayhem. I am a muslim (from India) and I have a son. He goes to an Indian school. I won’t say its a top notch school but decent enough. My son has a lot of friends who are from pakistan studing in the same school.

If you do not have any moral qualms about enemity with India, I do not see a reason why your child cant go to an Indian school provided it gives him right education. Even if I could afford to send my son to “gora” schools I would still prefer him to study in an indian school as he would be more culturaly fit.

If some one is trying to tell me that Indian schools are cuturely misfit for pakistanies, I am sorry I beg to differ.
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Ahsan Malik says:
February 6, 2011 at 9:57

Being a muslim, you should admit your kid to a Pakistani school. I dont know why Pakistanis should be studying in Indian schools.
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Sb says:
February 4, 2011 at 22:15

Very well put. Agreed!
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Suhaib says:
February 4, 2011 at 15:08

As you said, you would not send your child to a “gora” school as he would be not be as culturally fit as an Indian school. Consider the situation where there is no good Indian school. What then?
Or consider the situation where there is a good Indian school and a good Pakistani school. You would still choose an Indian school.
I envy you for having the choice, we just dont.
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ayesha khan says:
February 4, 2011 at 22:09

But you did not read the other thing i.e. there are many other Pakistani kids in the same Indian school.

Also the situation of having to send kids to gora schools is one experienced by most desis who live in the US.

The point Sharib is trying to make is that culturally Indian Muslims are not very different from Pakistanis. If the Indian Muslims can feel comfortable in an Indian school and also many other Paksitanis as well (since his kid has many fellow Pakistani schoolmates) then why does this author not go for that option?
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ramfromIndia says:
February 4, 2011 at 13:52

A good sensible and a relevant blog…
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nadim says:
February 4, 2011 at 13:38

good somebody talked about it finally- we moved to uae 11 years ago and faced the same issue-i always wondered why the big chains of pakistani schools who are now producing world records of O and A levels have never bothered to enter the market,faced with the same challenge we had to send the children to an international school where fees are breadth takers!!! Obviously indian/arab schools were no option from the start-simply put if your children are going to a good private school back home u have no option but to opt for an international school
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ayesha khan says:
February 4, 2011 at 22:12

You say ‘onbiously’ Indian schools were no option from the start. May I ask why? When I read Sharib’s post, it seems like there are many Pakistanis who do consider that as an option.

I am not questioning your decision to send your kids to an international choice. You have a right to make that choice. I am just questioning your blanket dismissal of Indian schools as an option for any Pakistani parent.
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vicky says:
February 4, 2011 at 13:28

I know many Pakistani friends of mine who are sending their children to Indian School. A good education that imparts teaching through trained dedicated teachers brings a healthy atmosphere , competitiveness , secular values and above all ‘one ness’ is always valued by the Indian parents as far as I know. It helps the children in future. Of course we cannot afford high fee for an American school or British School. Sure our children/students are equally better if not less.
Always you have a choice. All the best
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mehmudah says:
February 4, 2011 at 13:55

Well, that’s an option of course. But have you any idea how uncomfortable a child with a Pakistani passport can be in a throng of Indians? Either you feel wronged because you are Pakistani, or you simply lose your own true culture and roots, and come across as that annoying wannabe. We need some decent schools where its okay to be Pakistani – where patriotism is practiced, where our kids get excellent education!
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gp65 says:
February 6, 2011 at 23:51

Why do you think it would NOT be Okay for your child to be proud of his Pakistani roots in an Indian school? If you teach your kids cultural roots at home where he/she spends more time than school, why would they loe those roots? In any case Indian and Pakistani culture is not all that different either.

By your logic, Pakistani kids in UK, USA, Canada should also have the same problem. But I have never heard Pakistani (or Indian) parents living in these countries complaining about the lack of Indian/Pakistani schools. The thing that is bothering you is not that there is not a Pakistani school (which is also the case in the countries I listed above) but that there is a decent Indian school.

I would suggest that you rethink your prejudices and not impose them on your kids. The mother of Indian kids who always smile at you has obviously not told her kid that Pakistanis are bad. If you do not tell your kids that Indians are bad, they will be fine in an Indian school.

And by the way what happens to your patriotism when your husband works under an Arab, American or Indian? That is Okay but not if your kids study with these very same people?
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Sane Indian says:
February 5, 2011 at 19:21

Hi Mehmudah,

School authorities may ask for documents for administrative purposes. Afterwards no one is going to be bothered about your child’s nationality. I live in Singapore, where there are many Indian schools, but no Pakistani school. My son has Pakistanis, Australians, Koreans & Japanese as friends. Koreans & Japanese come to Indian schools because they think our English teaching is far better than their own schools. You shouldn’t be bothered about sub-continent politics when it comes to your child’s education. For all you know your children may grow up and become goodwill ambassadors between our countries…. which is good thing. As far as religion & morals are concerned there is no better place than home to teach them.
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Umesh says:
February 5, 2011 at 0:39

@mehmudah: I don’t think children decide their behaviour based on passport. Also I don’t think teachers talk about each child’s nationality in the classrooms. If you teach your child that he/she is different than other children in the Indian school, then your child is going to behave accordingly in the school and self select to become uncomfortable. Just from looks it would be difficult for other children to know that your child is a Pakistani.

Children are in the school for 8 hrs of the day and mostly at home for rest 16 hrs. If your children would lose their own true culture and roots by going to Indian school, then it shows you don’t have any culture at home. So why insist on having a culture?
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Sb says:
February 4, 2011 at 22:12

THat’s a ridiculous thing to say. You’re missing the point of going to school – it’s to get an education, not to increase your levels of patriotism. That approach (increasing patriotism in school) has been tried before in Pakistan and it has failed. School is not where kids learn to hate, it’s where kids go to get an education.

Leave your “Hindoos are bad” mentality and you’ll be accepted everywhere. We have great Pakistani and Indian friends who discuss ideas and events and not other people.
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vikas ranjan says:
February 4, 2011 at 16:49

How many Pakistani schools do we have in UK or USA,which have very large Pakistani expatriate communities, and how do we preserve ‘culture and patriotism’ there. Or do ‘culture and patriotism’ become involved only in the case of Indian schools.
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mk says:
February 4, 2011 at 16:29

@ mehmudah

Stop whining and do something about it then.
Send your kid to a gora school if you can afford it, let them have a good education, don’t worry about your kids getting involed in after-school parties where alcohol and promiscuous relations is a norm, its a norm at quite a lot of places in Pakistan also, don’t be so naive.
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prasad says:
February 4, 2011 at 18:00

I would like to see my children get the best possible education that is within my reach. I dont care if it is pakistani or indian or american school. The only limiting factor is affordability. After all, you are sending your kids to any school for education. Not for inculcating partriotism or nationalism or religion.
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ThinkAboutIt says:
February 7, 2011 at 2:11

@Anamta Ali
Agree that given equally qualified schools one will choose the one which checks off as more familiar. But the point is when the choices are not equal and its matter of your child’s future what would you choose.

Also even if you make this argument about religion and not nationality (as if we do not have enough of that already), note that there are more muslims in India than in Pakistan. Also, as someone posted that 56% of Indians in UAE are muslims and about 25% Christians (we can assume the rest are Hindus, Jains, Zohrastrians, Buddhists, etc.), then you are more likely to find more muslims in Indian schools too. So the question is if this is enough religious company or are you implying that muslims of other nationality are not muslim enough.
Anamta Ali says:
February 4, 2011 at 19:14

i beg to differ here Mr.Prasad…
these are all mere words,when it comes to religion,its not at all borne,if u send your child to an Indian school or to another school.
U can very well differntiate at the point,where u are given choices b/w 2 schools.
One Pakistani and one Indian,both at their best,u would surely opt the choice that would go in India’s favour,same is the case with Pakistanis.U would ultimately get,what thing makes u opt the picked one choice…
Differnces though,hidden,are inevitable…
I m not here to support my country,buh yeah,differnces regarding RELIGION should not be ignored at any cost.
Farhad says:
February 4, 2011 at 13:23

Sounds like there is a serious market for low-cost, relatively high quality education for Pakistani’s in Dubai!
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Ahmad Abbasi says:
February 4, 2011 at 13:10

Well, that what I had discussed before many years one of our late politicion in Dubai, she even did not even replied my question.

We Pakistani suffer all over the world not just because of our government ignorance but also our own lake of brotherhood or patraitism which I think we don´t have. I would like to add some points here, in UAE there are many Pakistan business men prefer indian employee raither then Pakistani. I had asked them about this approach and I have been told that our people are not worth it. I feel so sad, our business men don´t care about Pakistan who are really power for accomodating many people.

I am living in Spain, here I found one gentle Pakistan businessmen, who has a electronics company which had around 500 employees its mean he paid them every month 1 million euro. But unfortunately there is not even single pakistani working for him. Furthermore, Pakistani government give him a title of honarary Ambassedor.

I would like to say please cooperate with each other, be passion, honest and always ready to forgive each others. That is the way we can achieve our gols.
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Sohail says:
February 5, 2011 at 16:43

Ahmadbhai, you state we Pakistani suffer all over the world because of our government’s ignorance (true) but also our own lack of brotherhood and patriotism….has it occurred to you that it is too much of our warped sense of brotherhood and patriotism that has made the rest of the world view us with suspicion….we are so engrossed in the idea of trying to procure a purer than the pure state of Islam and the means we have gone about achieving our objectives all the over the world that has landed us in the soup in the first place….I will tell you why even Pakistani businessman prefer Indian employees. Because unlike Pakistani employees who once employed would want the employer to construct a prayer room in the business premises to offer namaaz, halaal food, a maulvi then employed to guide us etc., Indian employees just concentrate on what they are hired for….to work. I hope you get the drift….so Pakistani employers also like other businessmen run their business primarily for profit so employ Indian employees.
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raju says:
February 5, 2011 at 4:07

My friend Ahmed your thoughts are very honest but practically speaking business men don’t want to become bankrupt by hiring bad employees. This does not mean that Pakistanis are bad or for that matter anyone else. Myself and my Pakistani friend run a business in partnership and we keep business separate from patriotism. In Saudi Arabia we have big issues with unemployed Saudis but Saudi’s themselves prefer expats to their nationals because an expat will do a better job for them. As for myself I would prefer an outsider to my relation to work in my business because i know I can get a better job done by an outsider.
So in business its not about nationality etc.. its all about how you can make good profits.
I would agree business men have an responsibility of contributing towards their country and society or the region in which they operate.
Our children learn about our mother land naturally so we need not be afraid of giving them better education in any schools. this will help our children to learn about other cultures and make them more tolerant.
Lastly a better educated child will be more beneficial to a country or society.
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Ali S says:
February 4, 2011 at 15:35

Smart guy, he doesn’t keep people who are not reliable
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Suhaib says:
February 4, 2011 at 12:51

My wife and I were just discussing this exact issue… literally two minutes ago !
My son is only 7 months old… but I am already worried. We have some very decent schools in Karachi, basically you have a choice of all types. You really wonder why some of the big school chains in Pakistan cannot have a presence in Dubai. I dont want my son to go to a “gora”, Indian or Arab school.
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Singh says:
February 6, 2011 at 7:25

Suhaib — thanks for sharing your sad, pathetic and narrow perspective — if you are so patriotic, then stay in Pakistan and dont go to UAE/Arab/gora/any other country if you dont want to go to their schools.
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ayesha khan says:
February 5, 2011 at 10:02

If you do not want to expose your kids to any foreign culture but still live in a foreign land, how reasonable is it? Why not consider the exposure to diversity as a benefit your kid would get that would allow him to be better adjusted in the global marketplace where he will have to deal with people of all colours, naiionality and religion?
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Mustafa says:
February 5, 2011 at 9:06

Going through all comments, I agree that there is no barrier fo Education and people can select any school they want indian, british and locals. Pakistani schools are over crowded indincating that people are enrolling studends there. However for standard education in Pakistan we have very good chains of private schools offering both matric and O/A level education. These schools in Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad and other cities have children of elite classes and foreigners paying higher fee. Although this reflect double standards of education but these institutions have played a vital role in producing better educated and english speaking students. It is high time that Pakistani community play their role pursuing them to come to UAE and open schools there. You will see in short time indian and other foreigners will start sending their children to these schools.
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raju says:
February 5, 2011 at 4:15

I am proud of your thoughts, very easy to comment siting in Karachi. Where will you kid do his further studies when he completes his schooling in USA, UK etc.. maybe that time you can change your views.
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Umesh says:
February 5, 2011 at 0:45

If you don’t wanr your child to go to a gora, Indian or arab school, then it seems home schooling or moving back to Karachi are your only options.
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Sb says:
February 4, 2011 at 22:08

Would a huge calamity fall on you if your kids went to an Indian school? The only real lifelong thing you can give your kids is an education. Don’t let your decades old baggage weigh you down.
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Nasrullah Khan says:
February 4, 2011 at 19:25

The situation in UAE was the same in the early 2000. when our kids were school going. We eventually sent them to an Indian school. They learnt excellent urdu there as well along with French as a second subject. They learnt excellent English and science. We were reluctant at first but very pleased with the outcome. The cost was same as Pakistani school. Here the Arabs do not like Pakistanis. This is very hurtful to our kids. My neighbor complains about the bullying her daughter suffers from Arab girls.
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BRR says:
February 4, 2011 at 17:39

We don’t mind calling them “gora” but take offense if we are called as “kalia”. We don’t mind saying their culture is inferior when we object to our culture being looked down upon. Double standards all over.
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prasad says:
February 4, 2011 at 18:02

you hit the nail at correct spot. great.
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G.Sriniwasan says:
February 5, 2011 at 22:29

Mehmuda Rahman should stop worrying and thinking too much.What matters is a Good School and
affordability.for the writer’s information ask APJ Abdul Kalam the respected Indian Prezident,he
did not go to a O level or European Schools.He did his schooling in his poor neighbourhood.
I agree with APJ Abdul Kalam when he says,it is not the Institutuions which create Scholars,it is the
Scholars who create Great Instituions.As Parents,besides the Schools,we have a great responsibility to
mould the Young Minds.
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sultan says:
February 5, 2011 at 0:41

spending money on education is an investment choose the best where ever you are and learn knowledge and educate yourself and childern one hour than to pray the whole night.
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