On Sunday, along with hundreds of thousands of other parents, I rose early to resume the daily school run as more than one million pupils across the country started the academic year.
It was not, I must admit, a chore to which I was looking forward. It’s easy enough getting up early when it’s my choice to do so, as has been the case on most days since the holidays began a couple of months ago. Somehow, when it’s a matter of duty, it’s a little more difficult.
Whether it’s a matter of starting school for the first time, moving to a new school – perhaps after arriving in the UAE for the first time – or simply moving up a year, it’s a challenging time both for students and for their parents.
As The National stated last week, it can be an expensive time too, with not just the fees that need to be paid for those in private education but also a host of additional expenditure, such as the purchase of often costly – and sometimes poor quality – uniforms.
I wish all of our students well in the year ahead, whether they are heading for a round of serious examinations next summer or simply getting on with the next year of their preparation for life.
It’s appropriate to spare a thought as well for those who devote their lives to trying to equip our children with the skills that they need. Whether as teachers or as administrators and support staff, the dedication of the best of them is to be admired. They receive less attention and less in the way of thanks than they really deserve.
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