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Schools can’t charge parents for graduation ceremonies, parties

Sharjah - The Sharjah Education Zone has warned private schools against charging parents for organising graduation ceremonies and end of the year parties. Parents must not be charged any additional amounts without approval from the Ministry of Education (MoE), the regulatory body has ruled.

A senior official from the education zone told Khaleej Times they received many complaints from parents about schools charging them Dh100 to organise graduation ceremonies or school parties. The department dealing with private schools has sent warning circulars to schools, asking them to refrain from doing so.

The official stressed that parents need to only pay fees approved by the MoE and other extra services are to be provided by the school free of charge.

The warning circular states that private schools must organise separate parties for male and female students and they must conclude at 8pm. Loud music must not be played during such events and students must wear “decent clothes”. The circular urged schools to respect the culture and traditions of the society.

He urged schools intending to organise parties or trips to submit a request for the same at least 20 days prior to the events’ dates. “Documents from sponsors of the event must be attached along with the request. Private schools must follow the executive draft of law number 52,” he said.

 Parent-speak

Parents told KT that students are charged between Dh50 to Dh100 for class parties or graduation ceremonies. “This adds to the burden of paying school fees, especially when one has more than a child studying at the school,” said a parent.

Umm Aseel, whose child studies in KG-1 at Al Marrifa International Private School, said the school charged her Dh100 for organising a class party. -afkarali@khaleejtimes.com