Sharjah: Parents and students are facing uncertainty as a new school in Sharjah failed to open on the scheduled date, Gulf News has learnt.
The Gems Westminster School Sharjah was all set to open on September 9, however the school still remains closed, pending necessary approvals from the authorities.
As many as 500 students had already enrolled with the UK-curriculum school and paid the tuition fees.
“As parents we are extremely worried. They promised us the school will open on September 9, but were informed on September 8 that due to some approval issue the school won’t open as planned,” said a concerned parent who asked not to be named.
They paid the fees for the first semester many months ago, at about Dh1,800 per month [including bus fees], she said.
“It is not just about the money, but it is about inconvenience,” she said, adding that as both the parents are working they faced difficulties in making last-minute arrangements.
The site was supposed to be ready by July, according to what the school had told them earlier, she said.
A spokesperson for GEMS Education said: “We are extremely disappointed that we were unable to open our school as scheduled. We are still waiting for the necessary approvals from the authorities.”
Gems said that they are in regular contact with the Ministry of Education and all indications from the ministry are that they will receive the approvals in the next couple of weeks.
“Any fees collected in advance of school opening is voluntarily paid by a parent. If the parent would like to withdraw their child from the school, then this fee is fully refundable,” the spokesperson said.
GEMS has apologised to parents for the delay, and in recognition of the inconvenience caused the school is deducting one month’s fees during the second term. Parents were also ensured they will not be charged while their children are not at school. “We understand how upsetting this must be for parents and children alike,” Gems said, assuring that no school days will be lost over the academic year as any postponed days will be made up over the remainder of the year.
“It is very worrying,” said another parent, whose two children have been enrolled at the school. “Gems has a reputation, which is why we did not think twice about paying Dh14,000 as tuition and bus fees for our children,” he said.
“All the while newsletters were being sent about buying uniforms and books, and it is only a day before that parents were informed by e-mail that the school wouldn’t open on time.”
“They should have informed us earlier,” he added.
He said that the school should clarify how the missed days will be made up for because families plan ahead for holidays.
Parents have now been told that the school will open on September 15, if they get the ministry approval.
