Combating coronavirus: 10,000 parents apply for GEMS relief package

With two days left to avail of the Gems relief package, 10,000 applications have already been sent to the group by parents.
Earlier, a petition calling on GEMS Education to cut school fees for the third term had gathered over 13,000 signatures.
Responding to parental concerns, the group had then offered a relief package, which may now be extended beyond the deadline. In a recent statement GEMS mentioned: "Parents can still apply retrospectively should their situations change beyond this date."
With parents pushing for complete waivers of the Term 3 tuition fees, GEMS schools are presently looking to offer limited discounts or special payment plans to parents, who can prove they have been financially hurt by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The group said: "We have waived off all registration, assessment and administration fees until further notice. Our goal is to provide seamless education while ensuring the safety of our students."
GEMS further stated it is also processing applications in the shortest time possible and will be contacting parents directly in the coming days. It said the group will inform them of the level of assistance they can expect, based on their unique circumstances.
In earlier letters sent to Khaleej Times, a parent said: "We are looking at maximum relief from the school as we are spending considerable time of the day teaching our children online."
Another parent said: "They are asking for our bank statements, which we are willing to provide, but the quality of education is not the same when you are teaching children at home. So, we should get higher discounts."
GEMS Education operates more than 250 schools in 13 countries, including over 50 in the UAE.
nandini@khaleejtimes.com