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In Wake of Arab Spring, Thoughts of Summer Vacation

By Cynthia Nagrath
01-Jun-11


International schools across North Africa and the Middle East experienced a very tumultuous spring, as pro-democracy movements spread across the region. School administrators worked diligently to ensure that student and staff safety were the first priority, while balancing the need to keep the school year on track and ensure that academics were not short-changed.
Despite the challenges and the ever-changing situation, most schools in the region are reporting a return to normalcy, albeit a cautious normalcy, as they complete the final days of this historic school year.
Tunisia
In Tunisia where protests first erupted, Allan Bredy, Director of the American Cooperative School of Tunis, reports that there are still some ongoing demonstrations as the country prepares for elections in July (to select representatives who will write a new constitution for the country). Despite this activity, Mr. Bredy reports, “We have tried to steer clear of any demonstrations and have successfully done so.” ACS Tunis has experienced only a ten percent drop in enrollment, relative to pre-revolution attendance figures.
Egypt
Despite declining enrollment, which has forced some schools in Egypt to reduce staff, things seem to be settling down since the last major protest in April. “I am happy to report,” says Carol Collier of Modern English School, “that the region is now stable and things are pretty much back to normal here in Egypt. The British Embassy no longer advises against travelling to this region.”
Reports of sectarian violence in May, according to Ms. Collier, “were isolated incidents and had no effect on the school whatsoever.” This is because the school is located far from where the disturbance took place, and in Ms. Collier’s view this was an atypical event: “I have no doubt that this will pass as the majority of people, whether Christian or Muslim, are against such behavior.”
Bahrain
The Bahrain protest movement was met with a harsh response by security forces and Saudi-led troops, and on 15 March, the King of Bahrain declared martial law and a three-month state of emergency.
Despite this upheaval, international school colleagues in the country report that things are relatively calm in and around their campuses, despite some anxiety and uncertainty. Bahrain’s king recently announced that the state of emergency imposed in March would be lifted on 1 June, two weeks before it is due to expire.
Although some schools declined to comment for the record, Mr. Ka’eb Algosaibi, Human Resources Director of Ibn Khuldoon National School, reports that “Bahrain continues to be safe, friendly and welcoming. A large percentage of the school’s staff (including the president, principals and assistant principals) are expatriates, and all are feeling positive about the future of Bahrain. Also, all expatriates who signed a contract for next year will be here in September,” according to Mr. Algosaibi.
That view is echoed by Ms. Dawn Lee, Principal of Al-Hekma International School (AHIS), who reports: “Bahrain is very calm. All schools and universities, except Bahrain University, are back open. Bahrain University is the major university operated by the government and was prey to extreme violence and vandalism when protestors stormed it in March.”
As far as school activities, Ms. Lee reports that “schools are holding events, but sometimes on a smaller scale. The Rotary Club’s Bahrain Model United Nations will be held over one day, instead of its customary two days. AHIS’s annual Tennis Tournament ends today and was held over a three-day period. All private schools are gearing up for graduations (most will be held in the major hotels in Bahrain). All in all, fairly normal considering what happened.”
Syria
Recent uprisings in Syria have been met with intransigence by Syrian security forces, as protestors push for the ouster of President Bashar al-Assad. Despite the turmoil, the Damascus Community School (DCS) will remain open until the last day of school on 9 June.
Surprisingly, Dr. James L. Liebzeit, Director of DCS, reports that “there are very few problems here in Damascus, with most of the disruptions located in cities about a one and a half hour drive from Damascus.”
That is not to say that the Damascus Community School has been unscathed: “I have lost two teachers as a result of the American Embassy’s evacuation of families, and a few companies have made families leave the country.” Considering the upheaval, student enrollment figures have thankfully held steady according to Dr. Liebzeit: “We have only lost 24 of our 290 students.” For any teachers on the lookout for adventure and an exciting opportunity, DCS is looking to hire a physics, pre-KG, and possibly a Grade 2 teacher.
Libya
The American School of Tripoli’s (AST) board convened on Skype in April, and decided that the school will stay closed for the remainder of the 2010-2011 school year—and unfortunately, that it will remain closed in the fall, indefinitely.
Ms. Judith Drotar, Director of AST, is in close contact with her Libyan staff: “I speak weekly with our Libyan staff, and the news is what you would expect. Banks are running low on cash, gas lines are at least six hours long, checkpoints every few miles are controlled by not-so-nice people, and some neighborhoods are so dangerous people are afraid to leave their homes. We can only pray that our school and teacher villas remain secure.”
After a very eventful and uncertain year, staff, students and parents will breathe a collective sigh of relief when the last day of school concludes safely. Everyone is hoping for a quiet and calm summer, and a return to normalcy in the coming school year.
Cynthia Nagrath is a TIE Staff Writer. You can contact her at [email protected].




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