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| Hadhramaut International Schools |
"
Seeking knowledge is a duty upon every Muslim,....." and
"Whoever takes a path upon which to obtain knowledge, Allah makes the path to Paradise easy for him."
(صلى الله عليه وسلم ). To seek knowledge; to seek education -- is the most enlightening and most rewarding thing one can do. The best and greatest gift one can give to one's children is knowledge; is education. Education enlightens and empowers. But, for knowledge and education to truly enlighten and be beneficial, that requires proper: place, space and means; it requires a school that gives its students good and appropriate resources/facilities and lets them achieve their full potential. A few weeks ago, while in
Mukalla,
Hadhramout, I visited such a school; a private one: the Hadhramaut International Schools.
Considering how dire Hadhramaut's education system and institutions are, I was so relieved and comforted that, finally, Mukalla (and Hadhramout) had such an excellent center for education.
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| Hadhramaut International School, Mukalla |
From the outside, the almost one year old school looks imposing but at the same time refreshing and most welcoming.
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| Hadhramaut International School, Mukalla |
Blue symbolizes trust, responsibility, honesty, loyalty, strength, endurance, excellence - and maybe, with these in mind, the administrators of the school decided to have the school's logo and emblem be mainly in blue.
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| Hadhramaut International School, Mukalla |
The compound outside is neat and well set. Students, the staff and visitors can't help being comfortable and relaxed.
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| Hadhramaut International School, Mukalla |
On the walls, are drawings and notes that encourage
students to develop awareness and appreciation of the environment - this is one of the core objectives of the school. Being as environmentally driven as I am, I was very impressed by this.
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| Hadhramaut International School, Mukalla |
Hadhramaut International Schools (HIS) is a non government, non political community school service that strives to provide a quality English medium of instruction institution based on the International General Certificate of Education (IGCSE). With education, 'quality' is always supreme. Right at the entrance of the main school building (above), the whole reception area was created with 'quality' very much in mind. The entrance, was very tidy and organized - very much unlike any other school I have visited in Mukalla or Hadhramout. In fact, very, very few schools in Yemen are so.
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| Hadhramaut International School, Mukalla |
The first thing that greets you when you enter a school is the way the receptionists and office staff welcome you. Their actions sets the tone for the rest of the school. If the front office is inviting for teachers, parents, and students, then the school leadership values customer service. At HIS, right at the entrance - the receptionist and the few staff members I met, were very friendly. But, above all - was the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the school (whom I had never met before) who was very welcoming, helpful and charming. After welcoming us in to his office, as busy as he was, he took time to take me and guide me around the school. The corridors and passages (above) within the building were just as neat, tidy and organized. Note: I visited the school just when the students had left the classes. I was truly impressed.
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| Hadhramaut International School, Mukalla |
The stairs were no different. The whole atmosphere of the inside of the building (the neatness, the colors of the walls and freshness) was very favorable and conducive for giving/getting knowledge and education.
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| Hadhramaut International School, Mukalla |
Not only does the school have very qualified, professional expat teachers; the classes are of the highest world class standards, too; and are open, airy and spacious.
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| Hadhramaut International School, Mukalla |
Of several classes that I visited, each seemed to be unique from the other; all were well ventilated and had air-conditioners. Each was refreshing, comfortable and a joy to be in.
Words, words, words - a child should be surrounded with words, especially in the early years; on boards, on walls and in books. Words impress on a child and are the real building blocks for learning. The kindergarten class was such. The school also has a library.
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| Hadhramaut International School, Mukalla |
For a school to be really good, it has to have a warm, welcoming climate where students and teachers love being in. Where students feel safe and feel good coming to and being in.
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| Hadhramaut International School, Mukalla |
The management of HIS have done their best in providing excellent, modern world class facilities for all levels of studies that they now offer or plan to offer: Kindergarten, Primary and Secondary levels of education.
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| Hadhramaut International School, Mukalla |
For this kind of educational service; for these kind of provisions - one expects to pay much. Yet, the fees charged by HIS is minimal, reasonable and not exorbitantly above what other mediocre private schools charge in Mukalla.
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| Hadhramaut International School, Mukalla |
No school or educational institution (of all levels) in Hadhramout, had such clean and so many restrooms/washrooms as the one in this school (as above); and at each end of the floors. In any public place: restaurant, hotel, hospital or school - the bath/shower-rooms and the restrooms are probably the best indicator for judging on how clean and organized the place is. For a school, the restrooms at HIS are outstanding.
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| Hadhramaut International School, Mukalla |
What is the use of a good school without recess? A school without recess and physical, extracurricular activities is no good school. Kids need a break from studies. Recess and being in gyms and playgrounds, is very healthy and productive.
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| Hadhramaut International School, Mukalla |
Without having a large compound, HIS has done the best they can in providing extracurricular and sports facilities - within some of the rooms and on the roof. The school also arranges for transport and lunches for students who pay.
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| Hadhramaut International School, Mukalla |
The staffroom, meeting rooms and conference room are large, airy and very comfortable. And quiet. One very notable and other impressive thing I noticed about the school, was that - as large as it is and it being an educational facility, it still was informal and easy-going in many ways.
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| Hadhramaut International School, Mukalla |
All the above aside: for HIS to excel; to truly be considered effective, good and of world standard - results matter; academic results. Academic results and how enlightened, respectable, useful, productive members of the society students become; and how physically, mentally, socially and morally they are after completing studies in the school. Only time will tell. But with all the excellent facilities and resources that HIS has and their motto: '
Knowledge is Light', Hadhramaut International School in Mukalla should easily achieve these.
+ HIS Official Site
+ HIS Facebook Page
+ HIS location on Google Map
