Dubai: UAE authorities have ordered the closure of a private Indian school in Abu Dhabi, leaving the academic future of over 1,300 students uncertain. The school — the Indian Islahi Islamic School — notified parents on September 15 that it has been ordered to close down by the Abu Dhabi Education Council (ADEC). According to a board put up outside the school gates, the date given for the closure is April 1, 2014.

Parents of children enrolled at the Indian curriculum private school are greatly concerned about how their children will continue their education following the announcement. Parents said they also received an official ADEC memo that was distributed by the school on September 15. "... The school has now told us it will no longer operate next year. Given the shortage of school seats at Indian curriculum schools in Abu Dhabi, how am I expected to find a seat for him at this late stage?" Amar Singh, a 50-year-old parent said.

Parents said although they had been aware that their children were being educated in a villa-based facility, school authorities had never notified them earlier of an impending closure. According to Muhsin K, principal at the school, the school currently has 1,310 students.

The school received the closure notification from the ADEC "in the first week of July", he said. "The school will provide all the possible assistance required for pupils to continue their education. (We are) trying to meet with the ADEC to find ways to resolve the problem, and to make a request for the extension of the deadline."