Dubai: As if bearing the cost of private school fees, books and uniforms wasn’t bad enough, some parents will now have to purchase tablets made mandatory by schools.
The Ministry of Education has already financed the integration of technology into public school classrooms and curriculums as part of the smart learning initiative. But when it comes to private schools, parents will have to bear the cost of schools wanting to join Dubai’s drive towards becoming a smart city.
A concerned father who preferred to remain anonymous told Gulf News his son’s school, Indian International School in Dubai Silicon Oasis, issued a circular asking parent to purchase an Intel tablet for Dh1,800 to Dh2,000 starting from the next academic year.
“Why did they make it mandatory to purchase the tablet from the school when we can buy it from outside? Since when does an Intel tablet cost around Dh2,000? I can get a better brand like an Ipad for that amount,” he said.
The parent, who contacted the newspaper, was worried the private school, which is based in Dubai, was taking advantage of parents.
The CEO of the school, Dr Ashok Kumar, said the tablets cost between Dh1,800 and Dh2,000 because they are specially customised to the school’s teaching and learning strategies and methodologies.
“These tablets are specially customised to the school’s teaching and learning strategies and methodologies. With the special software and probes on the tablet, every classroom can turn into a language lab and/or science lab and digital content of the books will also be loaded on them, leading to lighter schoolbags.”
He also pointed out that it is not mandatory to purchase it from the school as long it has the same features and the built-in software.
According to the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), making tablets mandatory is allowed given that the parents are notified one year before.
“If a smart device is integral to students’ learning, schools can ask parents to provide their child with this equipment. All requests should be made before the start of the academic year, to give parents time to plan their budget,” said Amal Bel Hasa, Chief of Compliance and Resolution Commission at KHDA.
As for schools making it mandatory to purchase the tablet, according to the KHDA, if an identical device is available elsewhere, parents should be able to choose where they buy it. However, some schools load devices with specific programs, systems and applications, which is why parents are encouraged to buy them through the school.
The KHDA said if a parent feels taken advantage of, they should first contact the school, following its appeal process. If the issue isn’t solved, then they can contact KHDA.
To learn more about how parents would feel if their child’s school made it mandatory to purchase tablets, they were contacted and asked if this would add to their financial burden.
Eman Jabat, a Jordanian mother of two, said she would not mind given that the price was reasonable.
“I think we are moving into a world ruled by technology, so it is important for them to start using these tools from a very young age.”
Amani Nedal, who has one child who goes to school, said tablets should not be introduced until high school.
“My child already spends a lot of time on technology at home, I wouldn’t want him to do so when he goes to school as well.”
