19/01/2016
When Mheirik Del Mundo, a Cambridge student at GEMS Westminster School in Dubai, was diagnosed with Guillain Barré Syndrome last year, it seemed like his education would be derailed. The rare condition left him bedridden and unable to attend classes.
However, thanks to technology and the support of his school, Mheirik has been able to continue his education throughout this treatment. Westminster School enabled Mheirik to join classes via SKYPE (pictured), and the principal, Mr Kingston, took a keen interest in helping improve Mheirik’s situation. “The principal constantly monitored ingenious strategies that were then employed by the school to assist my education,” says Mheirik. “He kept abreast of my steady progress.”
The use of technology has allowed Mheirik to participate in classes, conduct online research, communicate with his teachers and do well academically. He can converse with his peers, participate in group activities and do his homework – no matter where he is. This has increased his ability to be an independent member of the school and the community.
Mheirik received the Principal’s Award later in 2015 for his efforts to continue his education throughout the hard days of his treatment.
Cambridge programmes have been taught at GEMS Westminster School since 1995, and Examinations Manager, Minie Mathew, has led the Cambridge programme since 2002. The school offers Cambridge Primary, Cambridge Secondary 1 Checkpoint, Cambridge IGCSE and Cambridge International AS & A Level.