Dubai: Several private school students have complained that a school has told them to pay for the first semester fees for the next school year in advance, when the students are currently undergoing their third semester.
Parents also complained that some Kindergartens and primary schools have specified a fee of Dh500 to Dh1,000 to be paid for an interview to determine whether the student is eligible for entry.
Ali Al Suwaidi, Acting Director General at the Ministry of Education, said that schools are not allowed to impose additional fees or advance payments, in accordance with federal law No. 28 of 1999 regarding private education, and Cabinet Resolution No. 9 of 2001, Article 44.
School fees and methods of collection can only be attained for services such as books, activities, or school uniforms, not interviews.
Engineer Hamad Al Daheri, Director of Private Education section at AD Education Council, stated that a school asking for school fees in advance is a clear violation of regulations that specify that school fees are only collected at the beginning of each semester.
He promised to take any complaint regarding this matter seriously. He added that school fees can only be increased through an approval by ADEC after the school presents documents justifying the increase.
