Fees charged by private schools in the UAE and the link to the quality of education they offer is an important aspect of the pedagogical discourse in the UAE and the issue garnered the spotlight again last week during a Federal National Council (FNC) session wherein the possibility of tightening of controls on the fees was raised. Private school fees, it was pointed out, can sometimes exceed the tuition fees of universities.
Among other issues raised during the session were the excessive profit-seeking of some private schools, the out-of-turn fee hikes and surcharges demanded by them for transport, uniforms, extra-curricular activities and books. For parents, these are critical factors that weigh on their minds as they pick a school for their child.
The UAE’s education sector is expanding fast, led by the private school sector. According to a report by PwC, more than 175,000 additional school seats are projected to be required in the UAE’s K-12 segment by 2020. In Dubai alone, at least 400 parties have shown an interest in opening a school this year and in Abu Dhabi, by 2020, private schools are expected to accommodate about 283,000 pupils. The numbers reflect the dynamism and growth this sector is witnessing.
Though there are guidelines in place for how private schools must operate and school fees are regulated by the authorities with a clear criteria to safeguard parents against exploitation, the concerns raised in the FNC session are pertinent.
It is important to examine more closely if certain private schools are being motivated by vested interests and take remedial measures to address the situation. As the UAE moves towards greater horizons in education, it must ensure that it there is a level ground reality for schools, parents and pupils.
