DUBAI // A school in the vicinity of a chemical factory where a massive fire erupted yesterday has sent pupils back home today.
The Dubai Civil Defence recommended the move for schools in the area as a safety measure.
The Greenfield Community School in Dubai Investments Park sent more than 1,000 pupils back home this morning.
"As soon as we got the notice from the civil defence, evacuation procedures were put in place," said Clive Pierrepoint, the director of communications for Taleem, which manages the school.
"A communication went out by SMS and telephone," he said. The school is waiting for further information on its operations tomorrow.
The school's website said, "Due to the fire that took place within the industrial area yesterday, we are in the process of contacting parents to collect their children from their homeroom classes."
The school received the notice from the civil defence at 10.45am yesterday.
The fire erupted in a warehouse yesterday afternoon, an official at the company said yesterday.
The trading and manufacturing company's warehouse, in phase two of Dubai Investments Park, is believed to house industrial and food chemicals.
No casualties were reported in the fire. The area was cordoned off yesterday, and firefighters remained at the scene this morning.
Forensic investigators were scheduled to visit the site today to try to establish the cause.
Thick, black smoke enveloped the area, and staff at companies in the vicinity could see flames from several kilometres away yesterday.
pkannan@thenational.ae
What is double taxation?
- Americans living abroad file taxes with the Internal Revenue Service, which can cost hundreds of dollars to complete even though about 60 per cent do not owe taxes, according to the Taxpayer Advocate Service
- Those obligations apply to millions of Americans residing overseas – estimates range from 3.9 million to 5.5 million – including so-called "accidental Americans" who are unaware they hold dual citizenship
- The double taxation policy has been a contentious issue for decades, with many overseas Americans feeling that it punishes them for pursuing opportunities abroad
- Unlike most countries, the US follows a citizenship-based taxation system, meaning that Americans must file taxes annually, even if they do not earn any income in the US.
Why your domicile status is important
Your UK residence status is assessed using the statutory residence test. While your residence status – ie where you live - is assessed every year, your domicile status is assessed over your lifetime.
Your domicile of origin generally comes from your parents and if your parents were not married, then it is decided by your father. Your domicile is generally the country your father considered his permanent home when you were born.
UK residents who have their permanent home ("domicile") outside the UK may not have to pay UK tax on foreign income. For example, they do not pay tax on foreign income or gains if they are less than £2,000 in the tax year and do not transfer that gain to a UK bank account.
A UK-domiciled person, however, is liable for UK tax on their worldwide income and gains when they are resident in the UK.
Plan to boost public schools
A major shake-up of government-run schools was rolled out across the country in 2017. Known as the Emirati School Model, it placed more emphasis on maths and science while also adding practical skills to the curriculum.
It was accompanied by the promise of a Dh5 billion investment, over six years, to pay for state-of-the-art infrastructure improvements.
Aspects of the school model will be extended to international private schools, the education minister has previously suggested.
Recent developments have also included the introduction of moral education - which public and private schools both must teach - along with reform of the exams system and tougher teacher licensing requirements.
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