At first glance it might seem an overreaction to require parents to sign a legally binding contract before their child can be enrolled at school. But the new Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) policy, which will begin in Dubai's private schools in the coming academic year, has great merit. As The National reported yesterday, the contracts will clearly set out the responsibilities of both parties, including clauses covering fees and charges, attendance, dispute resolution and bullying.
The contracts were the subject of trial across 58 schools in 2013, and the KHDA reports that they have led to better communication between parents and teachers. Of course, nobody wants disputes to arise, but the presence of a clear protocol for when they do is welcome. Importantly, the contracts spell out the rights and responsibilities of both sides: they make it clear that while the school has a duty to its students, families also have obligations towards the school.
The contracts cover student behaviour, including bullying – which has always been a problem in school playgrounds but has taken on a troubling new dimension in the era of smartphones and social networking – and punctuality. Attendance at school is not an option, and when absenteeism is widespread – as it often is at this time of year – the whole class suffers. With a half-empty class, it is impossible for teachers to introduce new material, so even those students who do attend are not learning.
From the parents’ point of view, a contract ensures that school administrators and teachers are accountable for their actions. There should be no “surprises” in terms of fees or extra-curricular charges if everything is spelt out in legally binding fashion, and penalties for student misbehaviour or other rule breaches should be consistent. While common sense should still apply – nobody is served if lawyers are called in to interpret the contract over every small issue – this could provide a model for formalising parent-school relationships across the country. We will be watching with great interest.
