Private schools increasing fees without permission must face severe consequences, a Federal National Council member has argued.
“Parents in the UAE are carrying huge financial burdens due to exaggerated school fees, which do not match with the quality of education their children are currently receiving,” Azza bin Suleiman, FNC member from Dubai, said on April 11 during the council session in Abu Dhabi.
Suleiman was raising a question to the Minister of Education about the whopping costs of private school fees in the UAE.
She pointed out that the ministry must create tighter limits when it comes to private schools raising fees, noting that fees are not only related to the yearly educational cost of a student, but also other hidden or additional costs that are not often looked at carefully, including the charges for school interviews and seat reservations.
“Parents are paying for their child’s seat reservation, which is not even refundable.”
“We can refund items we purchase from stores, but why can’t seat reservations be refunded if the child doesn’t enroll in the school?”
“You did not answer my question regarding this point,” she said to Hussain bin Ibrahim Al Hammadi, the Minister of Education.
Al Hammadi said the ministry will form a committee, which will address the issues of private school fees, noting that Dubai already has a framework on how private schools can and cannot increase prices, which take various aspects into account, including consumer protection (parents and students), as well as the investment of schools. More info
By Jasmine Al Kuttab/Abu Dhabi khaleejtimes.com
