Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Bangladesh Islamia School, Abu Dhabi

Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Bangladesh Islamia School, Abu Dhabi caters to the educational needs of Bangladeshi expats in the UAE capital. It was established in August 1980 but became fully functional in its own building in the heart of the capital city in 1990.

SKBZ Bangladesh Islamia Pvt. School follows the Dhaka Board Curriculum and implements both English and Bengali mediums. The school was affiliated with Dhaka Board in 1988, and the college section was opened in 1991. Almost 800 students are presently enrolled at the school from KG 1 to Grade 12. Boys and girls study in separate sections from Grade 6 onwards.

The school is in proximity to the following residential areas:

• Al Saadah
• Al Maarid
• Rowdhat
• Al Mushrif

Al Mushrif is centrally located in Abu Dhabi between Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Street and Al Khaleej Al Arabi Street. The area ranks among the top neighbourhoods for renting villas in Abu Dhabi. Interested homebuyers and tenants can find a mix of apartments and villas in the neighbourhood.

The school is well-built and has the necessary facilities for effective learning. The science department has a well-equipped lab with the latest technology while the computer lab has 30 computers.

Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Bangladesh Islamia School, Abu Dhabi is based on Al Dhafeer Street near Abu Dhabi Co-Op Society, Zone 1. Sultan Bin Zayed The First Street makes SKBZ Bangladesh Islamia Pvt. School campus easily accessible from nearby communities.

The school was established with the objective to impart quality education to Bangladeshi expatriates. It faced a few hurdles in the beginning but was able to maintain the quality of education imparted to students of all ages. With the joint effort of the Bangladeshi community social workers and the cooperation of the Bangladesh Embassy, Abu Dhabi, the school got permission from the Ministry of Education to run its facility.

This Bangladeshi school in Abu Dhabi claims to have a modern outlook and updated campus facilities. It aims to develop citizens who can effortlessly become part of the changing global environment while staying close to their Bangladeshi identity.

The school’s mission is to shape students as capable and compassionate world-class citizens with modern leadership qualities and skills.
The core values include:

• Honesty and Transparency
• Responsibility
• Caring and Sharing
• Team Work
• Global Vision
• Mutual Respect

The school offers classes from KG to Grade 12. Boys and girls study separately starting from Grade 6.

Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Bangladesh Islamia School, Abu Dhabi is affiliated with Secondary and Higher Secondary Education, Dhaka. Graduating students sit for Secondary School Certificate and Higher Secondary School Certificate examination. The school plans to conduct O and A level exams in the future.

• All students from Grade 1 to Grade 12 are required to learn Arabic as per the UAE Ministry of Education guidelines.
• Islamic Studies is compulsory for Muslim students.
• Students of Class 4 to 9 are required to learn UAE Social Studies as per the Ministry of Education guidelines.

ADEK inspected Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Bangladesh Islamia School, Abu Dhabi from September 23 to 26, 2019 and rated it as ‘Acceptable.’

According to the latest SKBZ Bangladesh Islamia Private School Abu Dhabi ADEK report, the management has remained stable but failed to bring about improvement in teaching quality. The overall performance of the school is acceptable.

Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Bangladesh School Abu Dhabi scored an ‘Acceptable’ rating in all six performance standards, including:

• Student’s achievement
• Students’ personal and social development and their innovation skills
• Teaching and assessment
• Curriculum
• Protection, care, guidance and support of students
• Leadership and management

According to ADEK inspectors, Shaikh Khalifa Bangladesh School’s key areas of strength are:

• Students’ improved achievement in KG, and in Arabic and mathematics in primary and middle.
• Students’ behavior, positive attitudes and relationships.
• Students’ appreciation of UAE culture and Islamic values.
• Guidance and support for students in the high school who wish to go to university.

Key areas for improvement:

• The school must improve achievement in all subjects
• Assessment data should be used effectively and accurately to identify, understand students’ needs
• School data should be used to plan and modify learning
• Students should get helpful written feedback
• Attendance and punctuality of students
• The school should improve communications with parents and implement punctuality policy strictly
• Teachers should meet the changing learning needs of all students, including SEN
• Curriculum should be modified to meet the needs of different age groups. This includes learning skills, creativity, independence and problem-solving.
• The school should use technology in classroom to enhance learning in mathematics and science
• Teachers must promote hands on learning, problem solving and investigation
• Teaching and learning should be monitored effectively
• Teachers must also get regular, systematic and robust development feedback
• Teaching targets should be linked to overall students’ achievement. They must also include professional development, continuing support and training

Parents interested in Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Bangladesh Islamia Private School admission need to first register their child. Once the child is registered, an interview is conducted to check the communication skills and behaviour of the candidate.

The school follows the following age placement guidelines for admission:

All Jr. KG and Class 1 applicants need not appear for an admission test. Applicants of Sr. KG have to recognise shapes, numbers, and alphabets. They should know colours both in English and Bangla.

Below is the list of documents that have to be submitted as hard and soft copies.

• Three passport size photographs of student
• Passport photocopy of the student with a valid visa
• Emirates ID card of the student – both original and copy (both side)
• Birth certificate of student’s original and photocopy both attested by Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh and Embassy of UAE in Bangladesh (if the child is born in Bangladesh)
• Transfer certificate (attested)
• Mark sheet of previously attended school
• Father’s passport photocopy with a valid visa

Parents are requested to submit all the above-mentioned documents within 15 days of admission, otherwise, the school holds the right to cancel the admission.

Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Bangladesh Islamia School, Abu Dhabi fee structure is as follows:

Students can opt for school bus service. The bus fleet of SKBZ Bangladesh Islamia School Abu Dhabi includes five air-conditioned buses that shuttle through Musaffah, Rahaba, Bahiya, Shahama and other areas in Abu Dhabi.

Students can join different clubs and engage in a variety of extracurricular activities. Some prominent school clubs and activities include:

• ECO Club
• Girls Guide
• Boys Scout

The ECO club was formed in 2011 to carry out environmental conservation activities. The club was able to conduct a Community Outreach Programme. The school is also an active member of Abu Dhabi Scouts.

Students enjoy field trips as they can enhance their knowledge. Grade VI to Grade XII students of SKBZ Bangladesh Islamia School visited Al Ain Wildlife Park and Resort and attended a lecture about endangered species in the UAE at the Wildlife Study Centre.

Students of Grade XI and XII were part of a Mangrove field trip organised by the Emirates Marine Environment Group. After the trip, students of Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Bangladesh Islamia School, Abu Dhabi were able to get the first prize in the Environment Competition held by the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi.

Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Bangladesh Islamia School, Abu Dhabi has a class-specific WhatsApp group where parents are kept updated about recent events and important news about the school.

• Telephone: +971-2-444-6904 | +971-2-449-0087
• Email: info@bdschooluae.com
• Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Bangladesh School Website

Please note that the cover image belongs to Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Bangladesh Islamia School