Emirates Future International Academy (EFIA), MBZ city

Emirates Future International Academy (EFIA) is a K-12 and co-educational school in Abu Dhabi. Established in 2008, EFIA follows the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) curriculum. It is located in Mohammed Bin Zayed City – a peaceful residential community at the edge of Abu Dhabi. The school has always been in the news due to its meritorious academic achievements. By following its motto “education leads to perfection”, EFIA motivates its students to lead a successful future through holistic education and all-round development.

EFIA has over 2800 students, mostly Indians, taught by a credible teaching staff of 170 teachers. The curriculum followed at this school allows students to balance their academic and non-academic spheres of lives. The extra-curricular programme at the school ensures students develop skills necessary to combat the challenges of the 21st century.

Students have access to a wide range of school facilities that support the growth and development of students. These facilities ensure students are exposed to an ideal learning environment. Also, the availability of sports and other non-academic activities ensure well-rounded students. All these facilities are available to students at a nominal tuition fee, which makes it an attractive feature of the school.

Read this comprehensive guide by Bayut to learn more about Emirates Future International School (EFIA).

The school is situated in Mohammed Bin Zayed (MBZ) City, which is in proximity to many residential communities in Abu Dhabi. These communities include:

• Mussafah
• Khalifa City
• Bawabat Al Sharq

Mussafah is the closest residential community to Emirates Future International Academy (EIFA). Located in the outskirts of Abu Dhabi, this residential community has gained popularity after the development of Mussafah Bridge. This has allowed the residents of Mussafah to access different parts of Abu Dhabi. The area is one of the popular areas to rent an apartment in Dubai. Other nearby options include Khalifa City and Bawabat Al Sharq that are at a drive of 20 minutes from the school.

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The campus of Emirates Future International Academy is equipped with several school facilities. Classrooms are airy and corridors are wide to allow easy access to classrooms and labs. The noteworthy features of the EFIA are:

Library

The library is an essential part of any school where students have access to a plethora of reading material. Initially, the school library was only for senior students, but the school added separate libraries for primary and kindergarten students. Books and other forms of reading materials are up to date and well organised. The school has arranged for individual study in the library by adding 60 cubicles. Weekly classes are held to educate students to use the library for academic excellence.

Computer Labs

The school also emphasises on the provision of computer and ICT knowledge to students. For this purpose, the school has computer labs with high-end PCs and other tech gadgets. There are separate computer labs for boys and girls in Emirates Future International Academy (EFIA). Here, students not only receive ICT education but they can also prepare their assignments.

Sports Facility

The School has a limited range of sports facilities. There is a separate gymnasium for boys and girls. Gymnasiums are equipped with weight lifting and cardio-related equipment that help the students to maintain better shapes for healthy living. Students actively engaged in physical sports are found in gymnasiums to train for competitions.

Other Facilities

The other noteworthy facilities available at Emirates Future International Academy are:

• School clinic
• Cafeteria
• Expansive parking spaces for school buses

Emirates Future International School is located on Al Jarayid Street near Ideal Clinical Laboratories in Mohammed Bin Zayed City, Abu Dhabi. Those looking to visit the school can access it through Abu Dhabi – Al Ain Truck Road, 16th Street and Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan International Road. These roads connect the school with different parts of Abu Dhabi.

Emirates Future International School follows the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) curriculum, which is a globally recognised Indian curriculum. The curriculum is known for its depth in education and rigorous educational structure. Students completing their education with the CBSE secondary certificate are accepted in top colleges and universities throughout the world. The school’s syllabus ensures students receive standard education based on international context.

Another strength of EFIA is its learning environment. The school offers an ideal learning environment for students where children thrive and prosper. The school believes that education is important for students to lead a successful life. Therefore, it instils a culture where students become lifelong learners. The benefits of such a culture are translated into the academic performance of students in the high school stage.

Students at Emirates Future International Academy live a vibrant life, as they are also active in extracurricular activities. The school offers several clubs to students where students can take part and contribute positively to society. The school also arranges several inter-school competitions where students display their skills in sports, literacy and cultural activities.

The school is ideal for families looking to enrol their children in school offering standard education at nominal charges. Emirates Future International School has an affordable fee structure, making it an ideal option for middle-class low-income families. Its location in the Mohammed Bin Zayed City – an important community in the capital makes it highly accessible to people in Abu Dhabi.

Emirates Future International Academy (EFIA) adopts the COVID-19 protocols in light with the guidelines shared by the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK). EFIA is re-opening its school by following the alternative day model with 2 days of physical schooling and 3 days of distance learning. Those who are unable to attend the school can continue their education through the 100% distance-learning programme. Some protocols adopted by EFIA are:

• Students with a travelling history outside Abu Dhabi needs to complete a 14-day self-isolation before physically attending the school.
• Students above 12 years old needs to submit a negative COVID-19 PCR test before the start of the school.
• Students above six years old and staff member needs to wear a mask at all times.
• Practice social distancing by maintaining a distance of at least 1.5 metres at the campus.
• The school needs to regularly sanitise the building and its facilities, such as classrooms, labs, libraries and frequently contacted surfaces, with disinfectants.
• Limit school activities resulting in large gatherings. These activities include extra-curricular activities and sports events, etc.
• ADEK has also recommended schools to reduce the school bus capacity. EFIA has decided to shut down the school transport for the first term of the current academic year.

For more information, read the school re-opening policy of Emirates Future International Academy.

EFIA is a K-12 school that educates children aged 3 to 18 years old. There are the following sections in the school:

Emirates Future International School follows the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE). It is a renowned Indian curriculum practised in over 24 countries. The school’s syllabus revolves around the strong ethos of the school and standards of CBSE. Teachers work hard with students to help them understand key concepts. The school’s syllabus also allows EFIA to offer a plethora of extra-curricular options to students. Thus, students at EFIA are not only academically sound but also possess modern-day skills.

The CBSE curriculum helps the school to develop activities involving children. It encourages cooperative learning and enhances their English speaking and writing skills. The school provides concrete experiences by establishing cross-curricular links. The school teaches through peer instruction and ensures the holistic development of students in each phase of education.

Please note that the medium of instruction at EFIA is English. The Arabic language is mandatory for all students whereas Islamic Studies is for Muslims only. The specifics for each phase of education are given below:

Kindergarten Curriculum

In the kindergarten stage, the school adopts the Montessori framework for teaching based on the CBSE curriculum. The kindergarten curriculum is specifically tailored to offer broad experiences to young learners. It focuses on building cognitive and psychometric abilities of students through play-based activities, activity-based learning and e-learning strategies. Students completing their senior kindergarten education are creative thinkers with adequate skills in problem-solving, teamwork, communication, independent learning, global awareness and citizenship.

Subjects taught in the kindergarten phase are:

• Mathematics
• English
• Moral Studies
• General Knowledge
• Arabic
• Music
• Physical Education
• Arts and craft

Primary Stage Curriculum

In the primary stage, EFIA follows a more formal teaching method based on the CBSE curriculum. The school follows a student-centric educational programme in the primary stage. The syllabus is well-balanced and sparks curiosity and inquisitive nature of children. Such a curriculum aims to expose students to a creative system where students solve real-life problems. Enquiry based teaching and learning methods are adopted to strengthen the foundational skills developed in the kindergarten stage.

Subjects taught to students in Grade I to Grade V are:

• Mathematics
• English
• Social science
• Environmental science
• Arabic
• Hindi or Malayalam
• Islamic Studies or Moral Studies
• Computer Science
• Moral Education
• Dance
• Music
• UAE Social Studies
• Arts and Crafts

Non- Muslim students study Moral Education instead of Islamic Education. The school also arranges enrichment classes in the primary stage to build self-confidence, communication, critical thinking and leadership skills.

Middle School Curriculum

EFIA focuses on all-round education in the middle school phase. Here, teachers focus on building moral characteristics, talent and self-esteem that play a crucial role in high school education. The curriculum for the middle school is broad and covers an extensive range of concepts. Subjects taught in the middle school are:

• Mathematics
• English
• Social Science
• Science
• Malayalam or Hindi or French
• Computer Science
• Islamic Studies or Moral Studies
• Moral Education
• Arabic
• Physical Education
• Arts and Crafts
• UAE Social Studies

Secondary School Curriculum

EFIA prepares students for the All India Secondary School Examination conducted by the CBSE board in Grade X. The school ensures a positive and enjoyable learning experience where students use the school facilities to the fullest. The secondary school programme at Emirates Future International Academy is built on the skills and expertise developed in previous grades. The subjects offered to students in the secondary stage are:

• Mathematics
• English
• Social Science
• Science
• World Languages
• Islamic Studies
• Work Experience
• Physical Education
• Art Education

In world languages, students can select one language from Hindi, French and Malayalam. Also, Islamic Studies is for Muslims only.

Senior Secondary Curriculum

Students clearing the secondary school examinations enter Senior Secondary School. The CBSE curriculum for this phase of education is split into two streams:

Science Stream

In the science stream, Students have the following options:

• Group 1 – Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Biology
• Group 2 – Chemistry Physics, Mathematics, Computer Science
• Group 3 – Chemistry, Physics, Informatics Practices, Biology

Commerce Stream

In the commerce stream, EFIA offers following courses:

• Group 1 – Accountancy, Economics, Marketing, Business Studies
• Group 2 – Accountancy, Economics, Mathematics, Business Studies
• Group 3 – Accountancy, Economics, Informatics Practices, Business studies

To improve the standard of education in the senior secondary stage, the school adopted the Students Competency Framework (SFC). Moreover, the educational programme is aligned with the Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030 and National Identity Framework.

For more information, view the curriculum of Emirates Future International Academy (EFIA).

Emirates Future International Academy has an active distance-learning programme supporting the alternative-day learning programme for students. Attendance is compulsory for students following remote learning. All students need to log in before 7:50 am. To ensure a proper learning environment, students must have a dedicated PC or a laptop with a stable internet connection. For further information, read the latest circular on the distance-learning programme for EFIA.

Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) is a governmental educational body developed in 2006. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan established it to regulate the education sector in Dubai. It aims to improve and sustain the quality of education offered in the capital city of the UAE. Through the Irtiqaa Programme, ADEK inspects the performance of schools and other institutions every 18 to 24 months and issues a report based on a 6-point scale. The scale varies from outstanding (best) rating to very weak (worst) rating.

ADEK last inspected Emirates Future International Academy for the academic year 2019-2020. In its latest inspection, the school was rated an acceptable school. Out of the 6 performance standards, ADEK observed regression in leadership and management. Whereas, there were no improvements in the rest of the performance standards.

The main positives of EFIA are:

• Students have shown high achievement from primary to high school. The subjects in which notable achievements are observed are science, mathematics and English.
• The vision and commitment of the school’s leadership are one of the chief strengths of the school.
• Students of EFIA showed a good attitude to learning, relationships and behaviour.
• Another strength of the school is the strategies implemented by the school to promote attendance and punctuality.
• The school also engages with parents to help plan school improvements.

ADEK drew recommendations to help EFIA improve its performance. These recommendations are:

• The school should improve the students’ achievements in social studies, Arabic and Islamic education. It can work on it by developing students’ understanding and help students link it with their practical lives. The school can work on Arabic by improving students’ handwriting and grammar skills. It can also broaden the students’ understanding of UAE culture and tradition.
• Emirates Future International Academy needs to focus on the teaching and students’ achievement in KG and Primary stages. For this purpose, EFIA can plan and match activities to meet individual students’ needs. It can also implement teaching strategies to support gifted and talented students and extend the range of resources to support quality education.
• EFIA should also focus on improving the independent and innovative skills of students. It is achievable by developing teachers’ strategies, providing appropriate resources and giving access to students to learning technologies.

By focusing on the aforementioned recommendations, Emirates Future International Academy can improve its performance, resulting in better ratings.

The academic year at EFIA starts in mid of April and ends with annual examinations in March. The academic and non-academic activities are split into two semesters.

First Semester

The first semester starts with the new academic year in the third week of April. PISA Examinations for Grade X occurs in the second week of May. The semester ends with the half-yearly examinations for Grade I to Grade VIII in the second week of October. In the first semester, students go on a 2-month summer break at the end of June.

Second Semester

The second semester starts in the third week of October and ends in the second week of March. Students go on a winter break 3-week winter holiday that starts in the last week of December and ends in the second week of January.

Initial Requirements and Guidelines

Emirates Future International Academy (EFIA) is an inclusive school that accepts admission requests irrespective of nationality, religion or other forms of discriminations. However, the child must meet the following criteria:

• A UAE resident visa holder
• Studied in the previous school recognised by the respective governments or education boards
• Passed the grade studied in the previous school with at least qualifying or equivalent marks.
• Satisfy the school’s age criteria

The age-grade criteria followed by the Emirates Future International Academy are given below:

• For admission in Jr. Kindergarten, the child must be a minimum of 3 years and 8 months to 4 years and 7 months on 31st March.
• For admission in Sr. Kindergarten, the child must be a minimum of 4 years and 8 months to 5 years and 7 months on 31st March.
• For admission in Grade I, the child must be a minimum of 5 years and 8 months to 6 years and 7 months on 31st March.

This is based on the age of the students on 31st July (for schools beginning in April). Source: EFIA MBZ

* This is to cater to students transferring from systems that admit students of a younger age)

To apply, submit the online application or download the application form from the website and submit it to the admission office of EFIA.

Documents

The following documents are required along with the application form:

• A copy of the candidate’s passport (first page, visa page and page with parent’s names)
• A copy of the sponsor’s passport (first page and visa page)
• Birth Certificate translated into Arabic or English (copies attested by the competent authority of the country of origin and UAE Embassy or UAE Embassy and Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
• Document suggesting the last grade studied by the school (signed by the principal of the previous school)
• 4 recent passport-size photographs
• A copy of immunisation record
• Emirates ID card of the candidate and sponsor
• Insurance card of the candidate
• Tenancy agreement or electricity bill
• Original and a copy of transfer certificate

Transfer Certificate Requirements

• Those applying from abroad must get their certificate attested by District Education Office or other relevant educational body, the respective embassy in the UAE and UAE’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• Those applying from local schools in the UAE must transfer their child online via E-SIS programme.

Please note that a transfer certificate is valid for one month from the date of issue. For more information, contact the admission office.

Assessment and Admission

After submitting the required application form and document, the school conducts an assessment. The assessment usually includes an interview session. If the number of candidates is more than seats available, the school conducts a written assessment. The written assessments are usually for admission in Senior Kindergarten to Grade IV.

Successful candidates are required to submit the documents, pay the required deposit within time to secure a seat. Failure to do so would result in cancellation of admission. Please note that the fee is non-refundable at all costs.

For further information related to the admission process and forms, visit the admission tab of Emirates Future International Academy.

The fee structure of EFIA is as follows:

Modes of Payment

Parents can pay the fee through cash deposit or online transfer.

The account information is as follows:

• Account Name: EMIRATES FUTURE INT.ACA.PR.SCHOOL
• Account Number: 11206426920001
• IBAN: AE850030011206426920001

In case of the cash deposit, send the proof of paid fee i.e. deposit slip to accountsonline@efiaschool.com along with the student’s full name, class and student ID number.

For more information, view the fees structure of Emirates Future International Academy.

Emirates Future International Academy offers a limited scholarship programme for its students. In 2018, the school rewarded the performing students by offering scholarships. Students with exceptional performances in the board exams for Grade X are awarded a discount on their tuition fee. The discounts are as follows:

• Students with 100% to 91% marks in Grade X board examinations receive a deduction of 25% of the annual tuition fee in Grade XI.
• Those with 90% to 81% of average marks in board examinations receive a 20% discount on the annual tuition fee.
• Students with 80% to 71% marks in the Grade X board examinations get a 15% discount on the tuition fee.

Those securing 70 to 61% marks receive a 10% discount in the tuition fee for Grade XI.

For lunch and snacks, students can access the spacious cafeteria of Emirates Future International School. Students can purchase food items and snacks of their choice from the canteen. All items are available at affordable prices.

The school canteen is currently closed because of COVID-19 protocols.

School transportation is one of the feathers in the cap of Emirates Future International Academy. It offers a safe, reliable and secure commute to students. The service is helpful for students living far from school. It outsources the transport operations to Skyway Transport. It is a relatively new transport service provider in the UAE established in 2012. Skyway Transport is known for its professional and committed service to clientele, including educational institutes. It manages an excellent fleet of buses with outstanding safety features. For more information, read the transport service available at EFIA.

Emirates Future International School has decided to shut down the school transport service for the first term of the new academic year. This step is taken considering fewer students attending the school.

EFIA is a day-only school and does not offer boarding facilities to its students. Those living far from the school can try the school transport service or move to nearby areas.

The school offers a limited range of holiday camps to its students. A popular holiday camp at EFIA is Eco Club where students take part in environment-friendly activities.

Currently, the school has suspended all holiday camps to comply with COVID-19 protocols. The school will let you know regarding the status of holiday camps before the starts of seasonal holidays.

For sports-related activities, the school has a separate gymnasium for girls and boys. These gymnasiums are equipped with quality weight training and cardio equipment. Gymnasiums are often used by students in secondary and senior secondary students to keep themselves in shape and physically active for sports competitions.

Sports-related facilities at the campus are closed due to COVID-19 pandemic.

The extra-curricular programme at Emirates Future International School is extensive and covers a wide range of students’ interests. It develops the ECA programme in such a way to ensure that all the students can take part in non-academic activities. These activities are targeted to develop modern-day skills among students. A list of extra-curricular activities at the school include:

Some extra-curricular activities are unavailable for the academic year 2020-2021. This step is taken to avoid large gatherings.

Emirates Future International School arranges field trips throughout the year for its students. These field trips help the teachers to link the lessons taught in the classrooms to practical situations. These field trips are optional and charged separately. Some noteworthy field trips arrange by EFIA are:

• Heritage Village Abu Dhabi
• Umm Al Emarat Park

Students in the primary and secondary stages visited Heritage Village Abu Dhabi. It is a reconstructed heritage village in the capital city which reflects the cultural and historical significance of the United Arab Emirates.

Whereas, Kindergarten students were taken to the Umm Al Emarat Park, which is located in the centre of Abu Dhabi. The park is ideal for young learners to explore the world around them. Here, students explored animals and played games.

Field trips are also suspended for an indefinite period due to COVID-19 pandemic.

Currently, the only after-school programmes at EFIA are in the form of extra-curricular activities.

After-school care is unavailable to students for the current academic year.

Emirates Future International Academy has a school clinic that provides medical care and attention to students and staff members in need.

There are several modes of communication available for teachers and parents to interact with one another. Parent-teacher meetings, also known as open house meetings, serve as an opportunity for teachers and parents to discuss the progress, educational plan and other important information.

Parent portal allows them to access vital information such as attendance record, academic performance, syllabus, teachers’ feedback, noticeboard and much more.

Besides, the school informs parents and the wider community through its official website. The website is the primary source of general information such as attendance, fees structure, facilities, newsletters, link to the portal and other important information. The updated school’s website equally helps the parents of current and potential students.

Parents can also contact the school on social media platforms and the school designated WhatsApp groups. Teachers and parents of students studying in the same grades are added to the group where they can enquire each other for urgent updates.

Address: Al Jarayid Street, Sheikh Zayed City, Abu Dhabi, UAE.

Telephone Number

• For general information: +971 2 5525188

Email Addresses

• For general information: efia.uae@efiaschool.com
• Principal: saji.oommen@efiaschool.com or principal@efiaschool.com
• Vice-principal: raufia.salam@efiaschool.com
• School clinic: bency.anish@efiaschool.com
• Recruitment: careers@efiaschool.com
• IT Admin: benzigarraj@efiaschool.com
• Operation Manager: cleetusantony@efiaschool.com

Official Website and Social Media

• Official Website
• Facebook
• YouTube

Note that the cover image belongs to Emirates Future International Academy