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School faces flak for including books, uniform charges in fee

A school in the Capital is charging more than what is approved of by the Abu Dhabi Education Council (Adec), a parent has claimed.
A.I., a father of four children studying at the school, and who wished to remain anonymous, told Khaleej Times that the school not only imposes double charges, but also charges extra for facilities.
As per the fee structure approved by the Adec, the student fee should be mentioned separately from the cost of books, transport and uniforms. "However, the school has added the cost of books and uniform to the fee," said AI. "For the 2015-2016 academic year, the Abu Dhabi International School (ADIS) has thus forced parents to buy books and uniforms from the school without offering an option to re-use textbooks of elder siblings. I doubt this is approved by the Adec."
He added that according to ADIS's website, the school charges Dh4,500 for transport, against the Adec approved amount of Dh2,900.
Furthermore, according to Adec's stipulations, schools should charge different fees for returning students and new students.
For a grade 5 student, for example, the Adec's stipulated fee is split as a maximum of Dh22,440 annually for old students, Dh39,200 for new students, and up to Dh3,000 for books, Dh2,900 for bus transportation and Dh275 for uniforms.
Which means a maximum charge of Dh28,615 for old students and Dh45,375 for new students.
However, ADIS charges Dh25,700 as annual fee for both old and new students of grade 5 and this includes books and uniform at ADIS's main campus. Its new branch at Mohammed bin Zayed City campus charges grade 5 students Dh25,700 for old students and Dh38,300 for a new student.
Adding the school's transport charge of Dh4,500, a parent of a grade 5 student has to pay Dh30,200 at the main campus, and Dh30,200 for old students and Dh42,800 for new students at its new campus. After several attempts to contact Jihan Nasr, ADIS's superintendent and general manager, about the alleged charges, Khaleej Times received a message from her secretary.
"All that Ms Nasr has to say is that the school's fees are according to the rules and regulations of Adec," said the secretary.
She also pointed out that transport fees are nearly double because they include commuting both ways.
"Futhermore, as per Adec rules, parents can pay fees in a minimum of three instalments and maximum of monthly payments, but we are forced to pay in just two instalments," pointed out A.I.
The school, however, did not comment on this.
Khaleej Times' attempts to get a comment from Adec on the school's fee also proved to be in vain.
silvia@khaleejtimes.com

• Abu Dhabi