Arada hosts SPEA stakeholder meetings to help shape Sharjah’s future schools

Arada recently hosted Sharjah Private Education Authority (SPEA) stakeholders for a series of panel discussions that brought together a number of relevant experts and key authorities together to focus on the framework and development of design guidelines for Sharjah’s future schools.

SPEA leadership and governmental representatives from Sharjah Municipality, Sharjah Civil Defence Authority, Sharjah Prevention and Safety Authority, Department of Town Planning and Survey Authority, Sharjah Road Transport Authority and SEWA all participated in the summit.

School network operators GEMS, SABIS, Athena Education and Star International contributed their expertise along with seasoned private investors, developers, and engineering consultants. School principals, teachers and staff members from leading schools were also in attendance.

The meetings are part of Arada’s MoU with SPEA, signed in 2022, in which both parties agreed to work together to design innovative schools that align with the UAE’s national agenda and meets the needs and aspirations of 21st century learners along with UN sustainable development goals.

The initiative also includes joint training programs and events to support the growth of world-class schools in Sharjah, as part of Arada’s overall commitment towards community and the future.

The first school built in an Arada community was the SABIS® International School – Aljada (SIS-Aljada), which has capacity for 4,000 students, and which opened in 2021.

In November, Arada announced a partnership with Innoventures Education for a 480,000 sq ft K-12 international school at Aljada offering US and IB programs to 2,000 pupils.

Arada’s goal is to use its architectural expertise to design exemplary schools in line with progressive and sustainable design standards. These include experiential and expansive spaces, the use of natural elements, and enhanced connectivity among students as well as the outdoors.