Dear DAA Families,

We are writing to provide an update regarding the air-conditioning concerns currently affecting 22 of the 222 classrooms across our main campus. This work builds on improvements completed last year, when additional cooling solutions were installed in 17 classrooms.

Dubai is currently experiencing extremely high temperatures and humidity, placing significant pressure on our centralized climate-control system. In anticipation of the summer heat, we undertook substantial work on our air-conditioning systems over the past several months. Despite these preparations, the sustained conditions this week have placed parts of the system under greater pressure than anticipated.

Families visiting campus this week may have noticed that we have kept the electronic doors in the Atrium closed to reduce the flow of hot outside air into the building. We have also positioned additional cooling at the entrance to lower the temperature of the air entering this space.

We recognize that the temperatures recorded in some classrooms are not at the standard we expect for our learning environment. We are treating this with urgency and have already begun implementing additional measures to improve conditions. Our team has taken immediate action to mitigate the impact, and we continue to work to mitigate these challenges as they emerge.

Our response is being implemented across three stages:

Immediate Action – Additional Industrial Cooling

Industrial cooling units are being positioned in the hallways outside the affected classrooms, with cooled air directed into these spaces. These units will be used before and after class to cool the learning environment. We do not intend to use them during lessons as their sound may be a distraction for students.

While this will provide immediate relief, it is not a permanent solution.

Mid-Term Action – Portable Classroom AC Units

We are working with our GEMS Central Office team to source portable air-conditioning units that can be installed directly within affected classrooms.

Our priority is to identify units that provide sufficient cooling while operating at low noise levels, enabling them to remain in use during lessons without disrupting teaching and learning.

Long-Term Action – Specialist Assessment and Permanent Improvements

In parallel to these two actions, a specialist contractor will attend the school this weekend to inspect each affected classroom individually. The contractor will assess the underlying causes of the cooling concerns and provide recommendations for longer-term, permanent improvements.

The comfort, wellbeing and learning conditions of our students and staff matter deeply to us. We appreciate the concerns raised by families, particularly following the conditions experienced earlier this week, and we are treating this matter with urgency.

We will continue to monitor temperatures closely and work through each stage of this plan until appropriate and sustainable conditions have been restored in all affected classrooms.

Thank you for your partnership as we address these matters. 

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