Tag Archives: lifestyle
Dubai puts cap on school fee hike
Dubai puts cap on school fee hike Dhanusha Gokulan / 17 February 2014 Annual hike to be not more than 5-7% depending on performance: DEC Schools in Dubai will not be allowed more than an annual 5-7 per cent hike in fees based on performance rates awarded by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) and even when the education cost index (ECI) records high costs. The Dubai Executive Council (DEC) announced its decision on Sunday to place the school fee cap depending on the schools’ performance. An official said that the annual school fee hike must not cross the rating awarded by the KHDA based on the school’s performance evaluation index. Parents, according to the annual school fee rise cap, would only have to bear a maximum of 5-7 per cent hike annually during the over-inflation times while investors would have to bear much more than that percentage. Schools rated ‘outstanding’ shall be given a seven per cent increase, school rated ‘good’ will be given six per cent, schools rated ‘acceptable’ and ‘poor’ shall be given five per cent. These projections released by the DEC add that if the cost of education index is negative or zero, then no increase will be allowed. The education costs index is measured by gauging the operational charges paid by a school. The resolution explained that a framework would be developed to give the schools the right to apply for restructuring their fees if the inflation rates negatively impacts the profitability and development of their services. The education costs index for the year 2013 saw an increase by 1.74 per cent as compared to 2012, based on the reports released by the Dubai Statistical Centre (DSC) and the KHDA. According to Abdulla Al Shaibani, Secretary-General of DEC, the decision is aimed at keeping the vision of good education at an acceptable fee to students and guardians. “The function of the council is to adopt policies that will contribute to meeting the needs of Emiratis and residents in Dubai and increase the competitiveness of the emirate socially and economically,” he said. This decision, he said would encourage schools rated ‘outstanding’ and ‘good’ to carry on by giving them better profit rates than schools rated ‘acceptable’ and ‘poor’. The cap would also help regulate the general inflation rate in the emirate by restraining the inflation on education within acceptable levels. According to the KHDA’s current fee framework, outstanding schools will be eligible for up to a 3.48 per cent raise, good schools are eligible for up to 2.61 per cent and the rest will be granted up to a 1.74 per cent rise. In a statement issued to the Press, the authority said that every school in Dubai has been directly informed of the changes by the KHDA. Some of the school authorities that Khaleej Times tried to get in touch with for a response on the decision said that they are still trying to fully understand the ruling and a detailed circular will be issues to parents and stakeholders. Staff salaries accounted for 60 per cent out of the operational charges at private schools, followed by rent, maintenance fee, and electricity and water bill, along with other factors that have been included in the calculation of the education costs index. dhanusha@khaleejtimes.com For more news from Khaleej Times, follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/khaleejtimes , and on Twitter at @khaleejtimes Continue reading
Discovery Gardens gridlock to be resolved soon: RTA
Discovery Gardens gridlock to be resolved soon: RTA Staff Reporter / 17 February 2014 Authority is about to undertake further road works in the area with a view to providing two additional entries and two exits. As motorists’ frustration of being stuck in hours’ long traffic jams in Discovery Garden community at Jebel Ali reaches its peak, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) says it has held an urgent meeting with the developer Nakheel and will study temporary solutions “within a matter of days”. Residents of Discovery Gardens often get stuck in traffic for hours. — KT photo by Grace Guino In a statement to Khaleej Times on Sunday, the RTA said that it is “about to undertake further road works in the area with a view to providing two additional entries and two exits for Discovery Gardens and Ibn Battuta Mall at Interchange 5.5 on Shaikh Zayed Road and Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road.” “Works on these solutions are expected to be completed by the end of this year. These works are undertaken as part of the next five year plan that completes parallel roads in that area.” Hussain Al Banna, Director of Traffic, RTA Traffic and Roads Agency, said: “The RTA had an urgent meeting with Nakheel to work out solutions and alternatives, including streamlining functionality of light signals in the area concerned in a bid to ensure a smooth traffic flow.” On Thursday last week, heavy rain had caused a huge gridlock that lasted for hours. A resident of Discovery Gardens said the traffic jams are routine and very frustrating. “On a normal working day, it takes over 45 minutes to reach the only exit that both the communities have access to,” said the resident. “There are two schools in the area and despite the fact that traffic policemen are present everyday, we are stuck in a jam for hours.” Al Banna said the RTA is undertaking a study. “Within a matter of days, the RTA will embark on studying the provision of temporary entries and exits for the Discovery Gardens through the Shaikh Zayed Road and the Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road out of its keenness to overcome any difficulties impacting the traffic flow.” news@khaleejtimes.com For more news from Khaleej Times, follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/khaleejtimes , and on Twitter at @khaleejtimes Continue reading
When the abaya becomes a style statement
When the abaya becomes a style statement Dhanusha Gokulan / 17 February 2014 Emirati designer’s bold take on the dress gets international recognition . The ‘abaya’ or a cloak is a simple, loose over-garment, essentially a robe-like dress worn by women in parts of the Muslim world. At least that is how the Internet defines the abaya. But for Lamya Abedein who specialises in creating chic, wearable, and fashionable abayas, the dress means much more. “Perhaps I would have to write a book on what the abaya means to me. I cannot explain it in a few words,” laughs the Emirati and owner of designer label Queen of Spades. Khaleej Times caught up with this extraordinary self-taught designer and multi-tasker who juggles between being a successful businesswoman, a supportive wife, and a doting mother of three children. Lamya is someone who has customised, or changed the way the Arab world perceives an abaya. She has steered clear of the ‘all black, and sequins at the hem’ kind of designs. Her designs have seen reflections of a unique form of traditional wear like the Indian saree, the Japanese kimono, and sometimes pantaloons, too. She is one among the first Emirati woman and designer to have been recognised by international designers and have her abayas exhibited in international stores like Galeries Lafayette and Harvey Nichols. Perhaps it is her bold take on her designs that caught international attention. Who would’ve dreamt of fur or a brightly coloured belt on an abaya? Take her Betty Boop collection launched in 2010 for example. She adorned it with polka dots, heart-shaped leather frills, detachable aprons, and long red sleeves. “My designs suit the tastes of the cosmopolitan woman. It is for everyone and it is so because, the abaya is a very cool thing to wear,” said Lamya. “It is not just for the women in the Arab world. You can add shawls, belts, colourful pockets and accessories on an abaya. I got a lot of flak for adding a belt on the abaya, because it brings out the shape of a woman. But you push the limits, every single day,” said Lamya. Small beginnings Lamya’s love for fashion began at a very young age and she took a lot of inspiration from her grandmother. “I would sometimes change my school uniform to make it look more fashionable. I used to wear below the knee length skirts, sometimes turn them around my school pants to look like three-quarters, and sometimes try on cowboy pants, as well. I was a very shy child in school,” she said. After graduating with a bachelors degree in Business Administration from Higher Colleges of Technology, Lamya travelled and lived in several countries across the globe with her husband. “When in college, I worked as an HR consultant for special needs children. I had worked with special needs schools across the UAE and I had placed several children across various companies in Dubai. Of all the things I’ve done, this is something I will be most proud of,” said Lamya. “But the real jolt to create a fashion line and make a business out of clothing began when I was staying in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia,” she said. Abaya fabrics from KSA hold something of a fascination for most women across the GCC. “The fabric has a very dark shade of black and it looks very distinguished,” said Lamya. “I began designing abayas for myself and people would love seeing it on me. Slowly I began custom-making them for people I knew and eventually I decided to turn it into a business,” she added. Queen of Spades “I decided to name the company Queen of Spades, because I refer to women wearing by abayas as Queens. They are special, and one of a kind,” said Lamya. A lot of her designs have vintage-inspired elements, including pop colours and antique embellishments. “I love recreating dresses from the 50s and 60s. I love playing with fabrics, as well. I’ve used fleece, jacards, brocades, dyed fabrics, cotton mix, and, brocades,” she added. For the 40th National day celebrations of the UAE, Lamya created a 40-metre-long abaya which was showcased atop the helipad of Burj Al Arab. Lamya said: “My experiences in travelling has helped me a lot in what I am doing right now. Dubai has a very cosmopolitan environment and I am really happy that I can serve my country.” Operational since 2009, Queen of Spades is something like Lamya’s fourth baby. “I spend a lot of time with my children. I have two sons and a daughter, and I can proudly say that I don’t send them to tutors. I teach and sit down for homework with them myself,” said Lamya. When asked if she was ever worried about running out of ideas, Lamya asked: “How can anyone, who is constantly learning, and educating themselves run out of ideas?” dhanusha@khaleejtimes.com For more news from Khaleej Times, follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/khaleejtimes , and on Twitter at @khaleejtimes Continue reading
