Dubai: Our Own English High School has assured parents that they will not be hit with an excessive increase in fees.
A circular also allaying fears that the school will be closed down any time soon was issued by school principal Ainsley Edgar.
The reassurance to parents follows press statements by GEMS Chairman, Sunny Varkey on Monday that established Asian schools such as Our Own English High School will have to be shut down in two years' time if he is not permitted to restructure the fees to meet operational costs.
"We must be absolutely clear that no decision has been made to close this, or any other, GEMS School. Nor do we seek to make excessive increases in fees. The first step is simply to ensure there is better — informed public debate, so that we can all work towards a solution that treats all schools fairly," read the circular.
Jaya Unni, (name changed on request) a parent, said the circular came as a big relief for parents who feared the school's impending closure.
"It is one of the most affordable CBSE schools that maintains a high standard. We do not want to see it closed. I just hope that the authorities will find a solution that will not hurt the parents," said the Indian receptionist who has two children studying at the school in Oud Mehta.
Our Own English High School charges an average of Dh5,000 as an annual fee and is one of the oldest Asian schools in Dubai.
Many private operators of Asian schools are pushing for a fee increase for the new academic year starting mid-April. They maintain that the Knowledge and Human Development Authority's (KHDA) decision to freeze fees for this year will only add to their existing financial woes, imposed by the 16 per cent cap on tuition fee increases that has existed for the last three years.
Stating that "it is time that the problems — and the unfairness" are brought into the open, the circular further reiterated Varkey's stand that rising costs have been worsened by fee regulations introduced by the KHDA and the financial viability of low priced schools is worsening.
‘Disadvantage'
"Simply, we can no longer guarantee the quality of education that has been our bedrock. Newer Schools can charge double the fees, or more. This constantly puts the schools that have served their communities for years at a disadvantage," read the circular.
