UAE | Education
Parents furious after school hikes fees 90%
GEMS managed institution allegedly introduced higher charges due to campus relocation plans, new facilities.
- By Siham Al Najami, Staff Reporter
- Published: 23:29 January 22, 2009
- Image Credit:
Dubai: Parents of Dubai Modern High School have expressed their anger and frustration following a 90 per cent hike in tuition fees.
The GEMS managed school has seen a significant 90 per cent increase for over two years starting the academic year of 2009-10 and 2010-11, with each year witnessing a 45 per cent hike. The hike does not include other expenses such as transportation, food, uniform and books.
GEMS also increased the transportation charges last year up to 300 per cent, a move that did not go down well with the parents, in the wake of the global financial crisis.
"This is completely outrageous move by GEMS at this time of financial turmoil," said one parent.
"As a parent I don't want a bigger laboratory or a state-of-the-art swimming pool. These justifications will not guarantee a place for my children in reputed colleges. The standard of education in the school is good but its not getting any better," the 'bitter' parent told Gulf News.
A circular sent to parents from Dubai Modern High School yesterday stated: "Understandably, the move to a new campus implies an increase in school tuition fees."
This infuriated parents more. One father who sounded furious said: "In just two years both of my children's fee charges have gone up from Dh12,000 and now to Dh80,000 per year. How is that acceptable? Why should I bare the costs of relocating to a new campus?"
According to a statement sent to Gulf News, the Knowledge and Human Development Authority approved the new hikes.
"Once the change in the fee structure is implemented, the school will not be allowed to have any further increases for the following three years," it stated.
"We understand that not all parents can afford such an increase in the current financial situation. Therefore, we have allowed the increase on the condition that the GEMS school would help provide an acceptable alternative," the statement read.
Gulf News made repeated attempts to contact GEMS but did not receive any response.
Have you received a circular from your child's school informing you of an increase in tuition fees? Is this increase within your budget? Or do you plan to switch schools for your child?
Your comments
I think authorities need to strictly regulate these private schools.
Education is such an important service which should not be linked to business purposes.
Jayaraj
Delhi,India
Posted: January 24, 2009, 09:43
We are not interested to continue with GEMs schools as transportation is higher than the personal car maintenance for a child and the hike of fees is double any other schools in UAE. Even the quality of education is not that good.
Bharati Mahapatra
Dubai,UAE
Posted: January 24, 2009, 09:27
School fees are already the highest in UAE among other Middle East countries. This must be stopped. I urge higher authorities to take necessary measures to stop this looting.
Mohammad Khan
Dubai,UAE
Posted: January 24, 2009, 08:57
Education in this part of the world has become a commercial institution rather then developing children's future. GEMS group of schools have forgotten what the founder of this school had in mind and heart. He must be must be proud to see his school grow in numbers but he would have been more happier if quality and cost remains affordable for middle class people.
Pramod Kumar Parsotam
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: January 24, 2009, 02:03
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