Parents dread fee hike after Dubai school inspections

At a time when the UAE is witnessing some instability in the job market, parents are bracing themselves for yet more "financial burdens

This week, parents will find out just how their children's schools have fared in the latest round of the Dubai school inspections.
Although most are hoping for positive results, some dread what it will mean with regards to tuition fees.
Back in February, schools in Dubai were given the go ahead to increase their tuition fees for the 2017-18 academic year, depending on the results of the latest round of the Dubai School Inspection Bureau (DSIB).
As per the new fees structure, schools will be eligible for an adjustment of up to double the Education Cost Index (ECI) rate for 2017, which is set at 2.4 per cent. This means, depending on the updated rating of the school (which is to be released this week), fees can now be hiked anywhere between 2.4 per cent to 4.8 per cent, should the school choose to do so.
But at a time when the UAE is witnessing some instability in the job market, parents are bracing themselves for yet more "financial burdens".
With a son in Grade 8 in one of Dubai's 16 'outstanding' rated schools, Amit Singh told Khaleej Times he currently pays Dh43,000 annually, on tuition fees. "It has been confirmed that our school will be increasing its fees. It has done this year on year, since my son joined."
That means Singh will be forking out about Dh2,000 extra each year, which will ultimately affect his savings potential. "Parents are left in turmoil. We are not getting an increase in salary, yet tuition fees, in my case at least, rises every single year."
Though he said knowing that his son studies at a top performing school is "some comfort", fee hikes continue to burden families here. "Many parents I speak to say they would like a cap on school fees. I'd like to see the eligibility for raising tuition on a two-year cycle. If you look at the rental market, when the economy is impacted, rents go down. The same should reflect when it comes to school fees. Maybe they cannot reduce the fees, but they could freeze them."
Filipina mother-of-two May R. received news last week that her son's school, rated 'good', would be raising the fees as per the fee frameworks structure. Paying Dh16,000 year for his current tuition, May said the additional 3.6 per cent increase will add an extra Dh700 to that total. "It may not sound like a lot, but I wonder why the fee is being raised?"
Speaking about the school inspection process, she said she would like to see more "surprise inspections" being carried out in the future, as this would gauge a more "realistic reflection" of the school's performance. "My son's school is rated 'good' but it has never moved from that spot in five years. So why are the fees continually going up?"
Father-of-one, Abdul Sharef, agreed. "I am happy with my son's school, but every year they have chosen to hike the fees despite keeping the same rating."
Paying around Dh1,450 per month already, Sharef will now be forced to pay out an additional Dh1,500 per year in fees - not including the Dh550 per month for transport.
- kelly@khaleejtimes.com

• Dubai

Kelly Clarke

kelly@khaleejtimes.com