Courtesy call on Philippine Consulate General in Dubai
16 February 2026 Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Concluding the official mission of the CFO, Secretary Dante “Klink” Ang and Ms. Rowena Jubinal conducted the following activities: Meeting with the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) CFO Chairperson Dante “Klink” Ang II met with senior officials of the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) in Dubai namely, Dr. Amna Almaazmi, CEO for Growth and Huamn Development and Ms. Shamma Al Mansouri, Director for Licensing and Education Services. Vice Consul Jim Jimeno of the Philippine Consulate General in Dubai also joined the meeting.
During the discussion, KHDA noted that Philippine Schools Overseas (PSOs) in Dubai are generally performing satisfactorily. CFO Ang thanked KHDA for safeguarding the welfare of learners enrolled in PSOs. He also provided an overview of the CFO’s functions and its role in supporting the PSO community. The KHDA raised concerns about the proliferation of unauthorized online schools. They reported shutting down two establishments that were operating under permits for training centers but were found to be functioning as schools affiliated with institutions in the Philippines. Secretary Ang clarified that these schools are not accredited by the Philippine Department of Education and are not permitted to affiliate with schools in the Philippines. KHDA emphasized the need to raise community awareness on this issue.
In conclusion, both CFO and KHDA agreed to maintain close collaboration on PSO-related matters. Secretary Ang committed to will release a list of accredited PSOs, not only in the UAE but also in other countries, through Philippine embassies, consulates, and media channels. KHDA suggested posting the list on its official website as well.
Finally, Secretary Ang expressed gratitude to KHDA for accommodating the CFO’s request for the meeting.
Courtesy call on Philippine Consulate General in Dubai
CFO paid a courtesy call on Consul General Ambrosio Brian F. Enciso III of the Philippine Consulate General in Dubai. Secretary Dante “Klink” Ang II thanked the Consul General for welcoming the CFO, and for hosting the meeting with the Philippine Schools Overseas, represented by school administrators, principals, and other school officials.
With the same problems in Abu Dhabi, ConGen Enciso shared the view of the rampant operations of the online schools in Dubai. The long-standing issue of the current set up gives so much threat to the operation of legitimate PSOs. The Consul General also apprised the Secretary of the present condition and developments offered by the UAE government in general that would greatly affect our overseas Filipinos, among others. As always, Secretary Ang has been consistently conveying to them that operations of online schools, whether in the UAE or other countries, are not allowed by the Department of Education. These online schools in the UAE are believed to be affiliated with the schools in the Philippines, where they easily deceived parents of the prospective students. However, these operations must be stopped as they pose risks to the students enrolled there, as these students cannot easily integrate into the Philippines when they decide to continue their studies there in the Philippines.
Dialogue with the Philippine School Overseas
As the last activity of the CFO, Secretary Dante “Klink” Ang organized a meeting with the Philippine Schools Overseas, which was attended and participated in by the 6 PSOs, namely: Far Eastern Private School-
Al Shaba Campus, Far Eastern Private School-Al Halwan Campus, The Filipino Private School-Sharjah Branch, The New Filipino Private School-Ras Al Khaimah Branch, The Philippine School-Dubai, and the United International Private School, consisting of administrators, school principals, vice principals, and other school officials. The meeting was also attended by Consul General Ambrosio Brian F. Enciso III and Vice Consul Jim Jimeno.
Government officials welcomed the guests from PSOs, and Secretary Dante “Klink” Ang II said that the purpose of the meeting was to directly hear from the schools the concerns surrounding the PSO operation. During the meeting, among the Issues raised were existence of online schools which are operating in Dubai sans permit issued by the Department of Education; affiliation of these online schools to the Philippines; non-acceptance of students of PSO from unrecognized schools; SHS curriculum; school age and school calendar; hiring of students; creation of chat group; creation of task force by creating curriculum within the context of PSO; conduct of National Examination, among others.
CFO Secretary gladly informed the meeting that he has taken a proactive action by planning to release an advisory regarding the list of accredited Philippine schools overseas. The action was undertaken by the CFO to establish awareness among the parents who plan to enroll their children with these online schools and informed them of the disadvantages that may cause their children with these online schools. Secretary Ang also informed during the meeting that the CFO has organized a meeting with PSO alumni among the former PSO students who are presently living or studying in the Philippines. Sec Ang asked for the assistance of the PSO to engage their former students and to coordinate the PSO Secretariat. Sec. Ang also proposed to introduce the CFO to the AFTA, PEAC, and COCOPEA.
Lastly, Sec. Ang assured the schools that he will continue to work hard in ensuring that the welfare of PSOs, teachers, and students are being protected. He also thanked the PCG for hosting the meeting on behalf of the CFO as well as the schools who took time out to participate in the kamustahan.
