Dubai: Schools should not select suppliers that charge parents steeply for transport, uniforms, books and other non-tuition services, a top official said on Tuesday.
Dr Hashim Al Nuaimi, director of the Consumer Protection Department (CPD) at the Ministry of Economy, told Gulf News that some schools are, in effect, increasing the financial burden on parents by selecting expensive third-party suppliers.
“Schools are the ones to approve the deal with the suppliers. There are many third-party suppliers available, but it is the school that selects the company they want to work with. What is being charged is what the school has agreed on with the supplier,” he added.
Dr Al Nuaimi said if one supplier is charging too much, the school should look for one that offers lower rates.
Hotline
He added that parents who face an unreasonable increase in prices for non-tuition services — such as books, uniforms and bus transport — by third-party suppliers, can contact the ministry with their complaints on its hotline number 60052225.
“The Ministry of Economy calls on all consumers and parents to contact the regulating authorities in the UAE, that is the Ministry of Economy, when they have a complaint about a school, or any complaint about any sort of exploitation, or high prices of school supplies such as books and uniforms [provided by third-party supplier].”
Dr Al Nuaimi reassured parents and consumers that the ministry’s call centre, which operates from 8am to 10:30pm daily, except on Fridays, would handle their complaints.
In line with the free market economic system in the UAE, it is understood that there is no defined price ceiling on such charges, or on the rate of their increase. As such, it is understood that complaints would be handled on a case-by-case basis by the CPD.
Applicable rules
In Dubai, charges for non-tuition services — if and when they are provided by the school itself — are regulated by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), which also regulates tuition fees.
Its School Fees Framework is “applicable to all tuition fees and cost for services that are provided by the school (for example, buses, uniforms and schoolbooks).
However, this framework is not applicable for services provided by a third party Fees and costs for non-tuition services provided by third parties must be optional for parents and are subject to the supervision and control of other government agencies.”
Despite the provision that third party services should be optional, some schools insists that parents buy uniforms from a particular supplier, citing a need for consistency in design, colour, material and school logo.
A number of schools also insist parents buy books from a particular supplier only.
The cost of outsourced bus transport, uniforms and books runs into thousands for dirhams per child, per year.
For instance, a major private school bus service charges around Dh400 to Dh550 per month, depending on the school and bus route. There are 10 months in a school year.
Rising costs
In February, Gulf News reported parents having to pay an extra Dh30 to Dh40 per month per child for bus service, following a Dh20 increase in 2015 and a Dh10 increase in 2014.
One parent, who only gave his initials, M.N., said: “Bus fees keep going up almost every year. This keeps adding to the financial burden on parents. If it increases again, what can we do? We feel powerless to do anything about it because no one is addressing our concerns.”
At the start of the last school year in 2016, parents had told Gulf News that non-tuition expenses cost them around Dh500 to Dh1,500 per month per child, depending on the school or it’s supplier, and the student’s grade level.
Parents have often said that if they complain about third-party prices to the school, the school directs them to the supplier, which in turn cites operational costs.
When contacted by Gulf News regarding the regulation of prices by third-party suppliers of non-tuition school services, the Department of Economic Development (DED) in Dubai directed Gulf News to address the queries to the KHDA.
The KHDA says “fees and costs for non-tuition services provided by third-parties must be optional for parents and are subject to the supervision and control of other government agencies.”
The situation sometimes leaves parents confused and frustrated regarding having their grievances addressed about the issue.
Dr Al Nuaimi on Tuesday made it clear that parents can approach the CPD regarding such complaints. However, it appears most parents are not aware of their rights and responsibilities — or the redressal procedures — as so far the CPD has not received any complaints on this matter, Dr Al Nuaimi said.
Know your rights
UAE “Federal Law No. 24 of 2006 on Consumer Protection defines consumer’s rights and obligations and outlines certain protection measures to fight monopoly, overpricing and fraudulent commercial activities against consumers”, including “The Right to Choose: to have multiple options of items and services at competitive prices and quality”
Source: Government.ae, The official portal of the UAE Government
Have a complaint?
Contact Consumer Protection Department, Ministry of Economy
Call hotline 60052225, 8am-10.30pm daily (except Friday)
