Does anyone have there children in Choueifat? Whats it like? | ExpatWoman.com
 

Does anyone have there children in Choueifat? Whats it like?

7
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 02 May 2011 - 16:46

Hi
I have read all the threads everywhere (well it feels like it), and dont seem to read any positive remarks from this school! Im hoping im looking in the wrong place.
My little ones are due to start in septmeber and would like any comments, good or bad, or any experiences.
Any help would be great
thanks

7
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 04 May 2011 - 21:47
thanks surfsunsand ill look into to this school, appreciate that, thanks
22
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 03 May 2011 - 01:07
My DS and DD went to AFLEC (French curriculum school) which has a lot of Lebanese families as well, and as a result I knew quite a lot of Mothers who also had children at Choueifat. Generally the comments made below was what I heard too. I am Australian and I know that it was definitely a completely different system to what I am use to. Depending on when your children are born and the grade cut-offs you could look at putting the youngest 2 into nursery for 1 year while you sort out the school thing. There are some nurseries who have good programmes much the same as KG or Foundation. One I can think of is Children's Garden. We did that with our 2 for the first year and then swapped them to AFLEC and it worked really well for us.
7
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 02 May 2011 - 18:40
thanks this is exactly what i thought, i looked at the requirements for teachers there as well and it does say, you just need a degree, not a teaching qualification which concerned me aswell. we might need to rethink this one. problem we face aswell is getting one child in a decent school is bad enough at KG stage, two is nearly impossible. thanks for all the comments, it has helped alot.
3220
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 02 May 2011 - 18:26
This is what a student told me. He went there as fees are low. They do tests every day in every grade. Fun or extra curricular activities are not encouraged. If they get below 75% for the test. They must study again and redo another test on the material. Teachers do not need a teaching degree as long as they just have some kind of degree. Mostly Irish teachers. Academics are the most important thing always. Class sizes are 32 pupils per teacher and some classes more. Most nationalities attending school are Lebanese,Arab,Indian and Asian.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 02 May 2011 - 18:11
My oh is Lebanese too - but we pulled the lo out after a year, we were friendly with his teacher and she advised us to pull him out as well - he has a lovely character that would have been quo shed in that school. Too many exams, no sports and no interaction allowed with the teachers as we have to trust that they are doing a good job. The hour of French a day was good though.
7
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 02 May 2011 - 17:47
thanks i appreciate it. i believe kids learn through play and not study all the time, so its not filling me with joy! my kids are only 3 and 4 years, and i think your right, its slightly different than the school system im used to I didnt even apply there for my 13 year old, he isnt academic at all, so looking elsewhere for him, no way would he fit in. (and summer school for 6 weeks if your grades are not good, Id never see him lol ) oh, the joy of shcool hunting!!!!!!!!!
5452
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 02 May 2011 - 17:33
The school in AD is much better than the one in Dubai, but that is still not saying much. IMHO, Tallulah, your DH will like this school but you will not. <em>edited by AnonDubai on 02/05/2011</em>
131
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 02 May 2011 - 17:30
My friend sends her kids to Choueifat AD. From what I know, the school is definitely not to the taste of typical US/UK parents. But then again, it is not as horrible as lots of people believe. For example, they do have tests even for 3 year olds in KG1. Then again, it is more of a formality thing than actual hard testing. If anything, it is more ridiculous than difficult. And even for higher grades, the tests are not super hard for most kids. Also the kids do not sit straight for hours without break. Actually they spend too much time outside during lunch break that parents complain about kids getting too hot out there. I think they have about 1.5 hours of lunch break. Kids get to play and some go to activities such as choir and ballet etc. And the classrooms walls are not bare, they do have art work, posters etc. The real problem with the school, in my opinion, is that they feed too much and do not let the kids to enough of free thinking. There are lots of requirement on memorization, not enough training on writing and presentation. Also the school has been around for so long, the facilities are not in the best conditions any more. With all the new schools coming up, lots of people who can afford are transferring their kids out. Overall, the school provides decent education especially in science and math. But lacks good training in areas that require original thinking.
7
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 02 May 2011 - 17:30
hi this is the problem, i havent been, my husband has, im english he is lebanese, hence the school choice, and he was quite impresssed by it all, since its the same system he had. Now from what i have read, its exactly as you all have described, im still in the UK, and wont be there again till july. i appreciate all the replys, cos this is what i thought. i just wanted honest opinions and from people who had kids there. what was my biggest concern, i read yesterday that as parents you are not allowed to speak to the teachers, this is school policy apparently, which is very odd indeed. thanks for the replies
613
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EW GURU
Latest post on 02 May 2011 - 17:12
My boss had his 2 boys there for several years and he moved them from there last year. They are very very tough, as FO said it is like a military regiment. No fun and too much studying. I have even asked my colleague at work here and she told me the same comment. Back in Lebanon, they are good but here they are not. I dont believe it is fair that children spends too much hours in school. I am not married and no children but I have a lot around me who are and I have never heard something good about them.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 02 May 2011 - 17:07
I searched them while looking for a school for my kids. And really, they freaked me out. They are more a military regiment then a proper school. Academically, I think they are brilliant, but there is much much more than that to make a good school. I will give you one example: I had a Lady friend whose son is at Choueifat. We were having a party one of these weekends and invited them to come. She said they couldn't because Kevin had to study as he had an exam next morning. He is 6!!!! Personally, I do not want my kids to be brought like this. I want them to have fun and enjoy school. Sorry about the negative comment. But that is just what I think. I might be wrong
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 02 May 2011 - 16:51
Did you walk inside the classrooms? Did you notice they were barren? Did you see a class in action? Did you notice that the kids are supposed to be sitting for several hours at a time? Did you see the teacher/student ratio? If so, what are your answers to my questions? <em>edited by AnonDubai on 02/05/2011</em>
 
 

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