Dubai: Dubai's first school, Al Ahmadiya, was built in 1912 using coral bricks, but even though building materials have changed some some things inside remain exactly the same as at any modern school.

"Education is a must, so seek it without laziness," reads a page of ancient lines, written out ten times as a punishment.

Ameenah Mirza, Director, Al Ahmadiya School, which is run by the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM), said in the past students and families respected education and it was very strict.

"Late students would not be allowed in, the door would not be opened, and their parents would be asked to visit the school. Even if a teacher wanted to come to school 5, 10 or 15 minutes late, he would have to get permission from the Government of Dubai.

"The teacher would also have to get a piece of paper with permission on it, from the office of Shaikh Saeed Bin Maktoum Al Maktoum, which would let him enter the school 10 or 15 minutes late," she said.

Al Ahmadiya is based in Al Ras, Deira, and was the first semi-formal school to be established in Dubai.

School boys would wear traditional dress with a black waistcoat and would recite Arabic poetry in the school's courtyard as part of the morning assembly.

Al Ahmadiya was established by Shaikh Ahmad Bin Dalmook, whose son Shaikh Mohammad Bin Ahmad Bin Dalmook completed the work after his death.

In 1920 an elite group of teachers was brought in from Iraq. Nominal school fees of 3 to 5 rupees were introduced at a later stage, although Shaikh Mohammad Bin Ahmad Bin Dalmook would pay for students who could not afford the tuition costs.

By 1922 teaching took place on mats made of palm tree leaves and later students started sitting on benches and were provided with desks.

Advanced students would sometimes tutor primary students, and very young children attended the school as "listeners", before they were old enough to join.

Al Ahmadiya School was built in three phases from 1912-1922. By 1962, the number of students reached 823, spread over 21 classrooms.

It was at this point that the school closed and students were moved to another Al Ahmadiya school nearby.

Al Ahmadiya has had many famous pupils over the years, including Shaikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Shaikh Maktoum Bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance.

Last year, Al Ahmadiya held a competition, awarding cash prizes of Dh300 to each pupil or teacher who completed a historic quiz correctly.

Shaikha Salama Bint Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum won one of these prizes, after correctly completing a quiz about the history of Al Ahmadiya.

Mirza said: "It's very important for school children to visit Al Ahmadiya. Emirati visitors are very proud to bring their children and families to visit the school where they studied."

Dubai Municipality renovated the school in 1993. Shaikh Hamdan officially inaugurated it in March 2000, when it became a permanent museum.

A typical school day in 1912:

  • - 6.30am - prayers
  • - 7am-12pm - assembly, then lessons in mathematics, Arabic grammar, Islamic rules and the Holy Quran
  • - 12-12.30pm - prayers
  • - 12.30-1.30pm - meal break taken at home
  • - 2-4pm - lessons
  • - 4pm - prayers
  • - 4.30pm - home time

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