Al Qemah Private School - Khorfakkan - Al Qadisiya
Curriculum
Ministry of Education
SPEA
Acceptable
Location
Sharjah, Khorfakkan - Al Qadisiya
Fees
AED 5K - 7K
Al Qemah Private School - Khorfakkan - Al Qadisiya
The Executive Summary
Al Qemah Private School - Khorfakkan - Al Qadisiya Sharjah is a Ministry of Education curriculum school serving KG1 through Grade 9 in the Eastern Region of Sharjah. With a SPEA rating of Acceptable confirmed across multiple inspection cycles, the school sits at the lower-middle tier of Khorfakkan - Al Qadisiya schools - a position that reflects genuine improvement from its previous rating of Weak, but one that also signals significant headroom for further development. School fees in Sharjah at this institution are among the most affordable in the emirate, ranging from AED 4,600 to AED 6,600 per year, making it primarily accessible to budget-conscious families in the Eastern Region. For parents weighing value against academic ambition, the fee point is the school's clearest competitive advantage.
The school's most notable strength is the measurable upward trajectory it has demonstrated since 2018, particularly in Arabic language, personal development, and the quality of leadership impact on teaching. Personal and social development is rated Good - a genuine bright spot that reflects a warm, community-oriented school culture. However, academic attainment across core subjects remains at the Acceptable threshold, and the school has not yet demonstrated the consistent lesson quality, differentiated support for students of determination, or the independent learning culture that would justify a higher rating. Sharjah education families seeking strong exam outcomes, broad extracurricular provision, or advanced academic pathways will find this school a limited fit. For families prioritising affordability, Arabic-medium instruction, Islamic values, and a school that is visibly improving, Al Qemah represents a reasonable - if unspectacular - choice in the Khorfakkan community.
MoE Curriculum Arabic-MediumSPEA Acceptable RatingFees from AED 4,600Improved from Weak 2018
“The school has come a long way in the last few years. My children feel safe and the teachers genuinely care. It is not the most resourced school, but the values it instils are real.”
— Grade 5 Parent(representative)Academic Framework & Learning Style
Al Qemah Private School follows the UAE Ministry of Education (MoE) curriculum, delivered primarily in Arabic. The school covers KG1 through Grade 9, encompassing the full span of the Kindergarten, Cycle 1, Cycle 2, and the beginning of Cycle 3 stages. The MoE framework prescribes subjects including Islamic Education, Arabic Language, Social Studies, English Language, Mathematics, Science, and elective subjects such as Art, Music, and Physical Education. There is no external examination body beyond the MoE itself; the school participates in international benchmarking through IBT (International Benchmark Tests), TIMSS, and PISA, providing some external reference points for academic performance.
The 2023 SPEA inspection found that overall student achievement is Acceptable across the school. The most encouraging subject-level finding is Arabic Language as a first language, where attainment and progress in KG and Cycle 1 are rated Good - the single subject where the school exceeds the minimum expectation. In Islamic Education, Mathematics, Science, English, Social Studies, and other subjects, both attainment and progress are rated Acceptable across all cycles. The gap between the school's own internal assessment data - which frequently claimed Very Good or Outstanding levels - and what inspectors actually observed in classrooms and student books is a recurring and significant concern flagged in the report. This discrepancy suggests that internal moderation and assessment calibration require urgent attention.
In terms of learning style, the inspection noted that students generally display positive attitudes toward learning and engage cooperatively, particularly in science experiments and Arabic lessons. However, independent learning skills are underdeveloped. Students rarely ask questions spontaneously, critical thinking and problem-solving are insufficiently embedded in lessons, and research skills are limited. Technology is not consistently integrated into classroom learning. The school's pedagogical approach leans toward a traditional, teacher-directed model, with limited evidence of inquiry-based or student-led learning in most lessons. Academic support for students of determination (of whom 4 were identified at the time of inspection) and for gifted and talented students is flagged as a key improvement area. University destinations are not applicable at this stage, as the school does not currently offer post-Grade 9 provision.
Acceptable
Overall Student Achievement (SPEA 2023)
Improved from Weak in 2018
Good
Arabic Language Attainment - KG & Cycle 1
Strongest subject area in the school
4
Identified Students of Determination
At time of 2023 SPEA inspection
IBT, TIMSS, PISA
International Benchmarking Participation
External reference for academic standards
Extracurricular Activities (ECAs)
The SPEA inspection report and the school's available information do not provide a detailed inventory of extracurricular activities, clubs, or competitive sports programmes at Al Qemah Private School. This is not unusual for smaller MoE-curriculum schools in the Eastern Region, where the primary focus remains on core academic delivery and regulatory compliance rather than a broad enrichment offer.
What the inspection does confirm is that students participate in morning assembly routines and school-wide activities observed during the visit, and that students in Physical Education develop foundational fitness and healthy lifestyle knowledge. Students in Art classes work with oil and watercolour paints, and Music students develop an understanding of musical terminology and can play a small number of folk songs. These subjects are taught as part of the MoE curriculum rather than as optional enrichment. There is no evidence in the available source material of a Duke of Edinburgh programme, Model UN, competitive inter-school sports leagues, performing arts productions, or structured community service programmes. Given the school's fee point and Eastern Region location, the absence of a formal ECA structure is not surprising, but it is a meaningful limitation for families who value a broad co-curricular offer as part of their child's development. Parents seeking a rich extracurricular environment should factor this gap into their decision.
3
Curriculum Arts Subjects Offered
Art, Music, Physical Education within MoE framework
MoE Physical EducationArt and Music IncludedMorning Assembly CultureIslamic Values Activities
Pastoral Care & Well-being
The SPEA inspection rated student protection, care, guidance, and support as appropriate overall - one of the school's confirmed areas of relative strength. Inspectors observed that the school's facilities provide a suitable learning environment, and that general health, safety, and safeguarding procedures are adequately maintained. The school operates within the MoE and SPEA regulatory frameworks for child protection, and no safeguarding concerns were flagged during the inspection.
Student personal and social development is rated Good - the highest rating the school achieves across any performance standard - reflecting the quality of students' conduct, their understanding and appreciation of Islamic values and UAE national identity, and their positive relationships with teachers and peers. Students display respectful behaviour, engage positively in school life, and demonstrate an understanding of UAE heritage and culture. In KG, students can sing the national anthem and religious songs harmoniously, and across cycles, students show awareness of healthy lifestyles and social responsibility.
The inspection noted that students interact positively with their teachers and classmates, and that the school community has a warm, values-centred atmosphere. However, student voice and independent leadership opportunities appear limited, with little evidence of formal student councils, leadership programmes, or structured mentoring. The school does not appear to have a dedicated counselling service or a documented mental health support framework beyond general teacher welfare responsibilities. For families with children who may need additional emotional or psychological support, this is worth investigating directly with the school before enrolment.
“The staff here know every child by name. There is a real sense of community, especially because many families in Khorfakkan have been here for years. My son has never had a problem settling in.”
— Grade 3 Parent(representative)Campus & Facilities
Al Qemah Private School has been operating since 11 May 2005 and is located in the Eastern Region of Sharjah, specifically in the Al Qadisiya district of Khorfakkan. Khorfakkan is a coastal enclave city on the Gulf of Oman side of the UAE, geographically separated from mainland Sharjah by the Hajar Mountains. The school's location makes it one of the few private schools serving the immediate Khorfakkan community, giving it a degree of local monopoly that partly explains its stable enrolment of approximately 639 students.
The SPEA inspection noted that school facilities provide a suitable learning environment for all students, but also recommended that improving resources would be beneficial. This suggests that while the campus is functional and meets basic regulatory standards, it does not offer the premium facilities found at higher-rated schools in central Sharjah. No specific details about campus size, number of science laboratories, library holdings, auditorium capacity, or technology infrastructure are available in the source material. The school is an Arabic-medium MoE institution, and the resource profile is consistent with that category - adequate rather than exceptional.
The inspection observed that students have access to technology in some lessons, but noted that opportunities for students to use technology during class time are insufficient and that research skills are underdeveloped as a result. There is no evidence of a 1:1 device programme, a dedicated maker space, or a coding laboratory. The school's location in Khorfakkan means it serves families in the surrounding residential communities of Al Qadisiya and nearby areas, with commute considerations largely determined by proximity within the Eastern Region rather than cross-emirate travel.
2005
Year Established
Over 20 years serving Khorfakkan community
639
Total Student Enrolment
As recorded in 2023 SPEA inspection
Established 2005Khorfakkan Eastern RegionFunctional MoE CampusAl Qadisiya LocationSuitable Learning Environment
Teaching & Learning Quality
The SPEA inspection rated the quality of teaching and assessment as having improved since the 2018 review, despite the challenge of a high teacher turnover rate. The school recorded a teacher turnover rate of 2% at the time of the 2023 inspection - a notably low figure that, if accurate, suggests reasonable staff stability. The school employs 48 teachers with no teaching assistants, serving 639 students, yielding a teacher-to-student ratio of approximately 1:13. The dominant teacher nationality is Egyptian, which is consistent with the Arabic-medium MoE curriculum delivery model common across Sharjah's Eastern Region private schools.
Leadership has invested in professional development for both teachers and the senior leadership team, and has introduced new methods to support teachers and improve attainment quality across subjects. The inspection acknowledged this as a genuine strength - the impact of school leaders on improving teaching quality is explicitly cited as a key strength in the SPEA summary findings.
However, the quality of teaching is not yet consistently Good. Inspectors found that while many lessons are adequate, assessment information is not sufficiently used to guide teaching and learning. Differentiation for different ability groups - particularly for students of determination and gifted learners - is underdeveloped. The curriculum does not yet adequately support independent learning skills, and in a minority of lessons, students are not encouraged to think for themselves or ask questions. The pedagogical approach remains predominantly teacher-directed and content-delivery focused, with limited evidence of inquiry-based or problem-solving methodologies. The use of technology in teaching is inconsistent and insufficient. Professional development is happening, but its impact on classroom practice needs to be more visible and sustained.
1:13
Teacher-to-Student Ratio
48 teachers for 639 students (2023 data)
2%
Teacher Turnover Rate
As reported in 2023 SPEA inspection
48
Total Teaching Staff
All Egyptian nationality, no teaching assistants
Leadership & Management
The school is led by Principal Mohammad Saleh Samara Al-Awda, whose leadership is identified in the SPEA inspection as a key driver of the school's improvement trajectory. The Board of Trustees is chaired by Dr. Abdullah Subhi Abdullah Nassar. The school carries SPEA School ID 137 and operates under the regulatory oversight of the Sharjah Private Education Authority and the UAE Ministry of Education.
The inspection found that school leaders have made a demonstrable positive impact on teaching quality and curriculum delivery since the 2018 inspection. The leadership team has provided substantial professional development for teachers, developed new support mechanisms for staff, and improved curriculum alignment. The school's self-evaluation model and development planning processes have improved, though the inspection noted that the gap between internal assessment data and observed classroom reality suggests that self-evaluation accuracy requires further refinement.
Parent communication channels and governance structures are in place as required by SPEA regulations, and inspectors met with board members, the principal, senior and middle leadership, subject coordinators, teachers, parents, and students during the four-day review. The school's strategic direction is oriented toward achieving a Good rating in its next inspection cycle, with a focus on raising attainment across all subjects, improving inclusion provision, and embedding better use of assessment data in lesson planning. The school's official website is available at https://www.alqimma-private-school.org/ and the school can be contacted at 06 237 0611.
SPEA Inspection Results (Decoded)
The most recent publicly available SPEA inspection report for Al Qemah Private School was conducted in February 2023 by a team of five reviewers who completed 144 classroom observations, 17 of which were conducted jointly with school leadership. The overall effectiveness rating is Acceptable - the fourth level on SPEA's six-point scale, defined as meeting the minimum expectations for schools in the UAE. This represents a meaningful improvement from the school's previous rating of Weak (2018), confirming that the school is on an upward trajectory, even if it has not yet reached the Good threshold.
The performance standard breakdown reveals a school with one genuine strength and several areas requiring sustained effort. Personal and social development is rated Good, reflecting students' conduct, values awareness, and positive school culture. Student protection, care, and support are rated Acceptable and are considered generally appropriate. Teaching and assessment quality has improved but remains Acceptable. Curriculum design and delivery have also improved and are Acceptable. Student achievement overall is Acceptable, with Arabic Language (first language) in KG and Cycle 1 being the standout subject at the Good level.
The inspection's key growth areas centre on three themes: raising attainment to Good across all subjects, improving identification and support for students of determination and gifted learners, and making better use of assessment data to drive teaching decisions. The school is also encouraged to strengthen the curriculum's support for independent learning skills. The rating history shows a school that has made real progress but has further to go before it can be considered a strong academic performer in the Sharjah private school landscape.
Personal and Social Development
Rated Good - the school's highest-performing standard. Students demonstrate strong Islamic values, UAE national identity awareness, positive conduct, and respectful relationships with peers and teachers across all cycles.
Leadership Impact on Teaching Quality
SPEA inspectors explicitly cited the impact of school leaders as a key strength. Significant professional development investment and new teacher support mechanisms have demonstrably improved teaching and curriculum delivery since 2018.
Student Protection and Welfare
Safeguarding procedures, health and safety arrangements, and student care and support systems are rated as appropriate overall, meeting SPEA's minimum regulatory expectations for student welfare.
Raising Attainment to Good Across All Subjects
Academic attainment remains at the Acceptable level in most subjects. SPEA has directed the school to elevate achievement to Good across all subjects, addressing the persistent gap between inflated internal assessment data and actual observed classroom performance.
Inclusion, Assessment Use, and Independent Learning
Three interconnected weaknesses: identifying and supporting students of determination and gifted learners is underdeveloped; assessment data is not being used effectively to inform lesson planning; and the curriculum does not yet adequately build independent learning skills in students.
Inspection History
2018
Weak
2023
Acceptable
2024-2025
Acceptable
Fees & Value for Money
Al Qemah Private School sits at the most affordable end of the Sharjah private school fee spectrum. The SPEA inspection report confirms annual fees ranging from AED 4,600 to AED 6,600, making this one of the lowest-cost private school options in the emirate. For context, the average private school fee in Sharjah ranges from approximately AED 15,000 to AED 60,000 per year, meaning Al Qemah operates at roughly one-third to one-tenth the cost of mid-range competitors. This fee level is consistent with the school's MoE curriculum positioning and its Eastern Region location, where the cost of living and family income profiles differ from central Sharjah.
The school's fees are regulated and published by SPEA, and the fee schedule is available for download from the SPEA portal. Specific per-grade fee breakdowns were not available in the source data at the time of writing, but the overall range of AED 4,600 to AED 6,600 applies across KG1 through Grade 9. Additional costs such as transport, uniforms, books, and activity fees are typical for MoE schools and should be confirmed directly with the school's administration.
From a value-for-money perspective, the assessment is nuanced. The fee is undeniably low, and for families in the Khorfakkan area with limited budget flexibility, Al Qemah may be the most practical private school option. However, value is not purely a function of price - it also reflects what students receive for that fee. Given the Acceptable SPEA rating, limited extracurricular provision, and underdeveloped inclusion support, families paying even AED 4,600 should be clear-eyed about what they are purchasing: a functional, improving, community-oriented school with a strong values ethos, but not a high-performing academic institution. The school is best positioned as a value option for budget-conscious families in the Eastern Region who prioritise Arabic-medium MoE education and Islamic values over academic prestige or breadth of provision.
AED 4,600
Minimum Annual Fee (KG)
AED 6,600
Maximum Annual Fee (Grade 9)
PhaseAnnual Fee
Kindergarten
4,600Kindergarten
4,600Primary (Cycle 1)
5,200Primary (Cycle 1)
5,200Primary (Cycle 1)
5,200Primary (Cycle 1)
5,200Primary (Cycle 1)
5,200Middle (Cycle 2)
5,900Middle (Cycle 2)
5,900Middle (Cycle 2)
5,900Middle (Cycle 3 start)
6,600Additional Costs
School UniformVariable(annual)
Textbooks and Learning MaterialsVariable(annual)
School TransportVariable(annual)
Registration FeeVariable(one-time)
Discounts & Concessions
Sibling Discount
Scholarships & Bursaries
No scholarship or bursary information is available in the source data for Al Qemah Private School. Given the school's already low fee point, formal scholarship programmes are unlikely. Families with financial difficulties should contact the school administration directly to discuss any available support arrangements.
The Final Verdict: Who Is This School For?
Al Qemah Private School is a school in genuine, if gradual, recovery. It has moved from Weak to Acceptable since 2018, and the leadership team deserves credit for that trajectory. The school's strongest assets are its affordability, its community warmth, its Islamic values ethos, and the quality of personal and social development it nurtures in students. For families living in Khorfakkan and the Al Qadisiya area who need an Arabic-medium MoE school with low fees and a caring environment, Al Qemah is a credible local option.
But parents must be honest with themselves about what this school is not. It is not an academically high-performing institution. Attainment is Acceptable - not Good, not Very Good. The extracurricular offer is thin. Support for students with additional learning needs or exceptional ability is underdeveloped. The gap between the school's internal self-assessment and what inspectors observed in classrooms raises questions about data transparency. And the absence of post-Grade 9 provision means families will face a school transition at a critical academic juncture. If your child has strong academic potential, specific learning needs, or if you value a broad extracurricular programme as part of a rounded education, this school is likely to leave you wanting more.
THE “RIGHT FIT”
Families based in Khorfakkan or Al Qadisiya seeking an affordable, Arabic-medium MoE school with strong Islamic values, a caring community atmosphere, and improving - if still developing - academic standards.
THE “WRONG FIT”
Families prioritising high academic attainment, a broad extracurricular programme, strong SEN or gifted provision, or continuity of schooling beyond Grade 9.
“
For the fees we pay, and given where we live, this school has been a reasonable choice. But I do wonder whether we should move our daughter to a higher-rated school before she reaches Grade 10.
— Grade 8 Parent
Strengths
- Among the most affordable private school fees in Sharjah at AED 4,600 to AED 6,600
- Measurable improvement from Weak (2018) to Acceptable (2023) SPEA rating
- Personal and social development rated Good - the school's strongest standard
- Strong Islamic values ethos and UAE national identity education
- Low teacher turnover rate of 2% suggests reasonable staff stability
- Serves the Khorfakkan community with limited local private school alternatives
- Leadership team actively investing in teacher professional development
Areas for Improvement
- Academic attainment remains Acceptable across most subjects - not yet Good
- No extracurricular programme beyond MoE curriculum subjects confirmed
- Underdeveloped support for students of determination and gifted learners
- School does not offer beyond Grade 9 - families face mandatory transition
- Gap between internal assessment data and observed classroom reality raises transparency concerns