Coronavirus: more Dubai and Abu Dhabi schools cut fees

Reductions were offered because schools will offer distance learning only until the next academic year

Zack Stewart , Grade 12 teacher at the Dubai American Academy, teaching online class from his home in the Springs in March. Pawan Singh / The National

A teacher from Yung Wing School in New York, USA remotely teaches on her laptop from her roof on March 24, 2020 in New York City. Getty Images / AFP

Shorooq Sharaf, a teacher at Chubby Cheeks Nursery in Abu Dhabi, gives an Arabic reading lesson to children at home via video link. Antonie Robertson / The National

The parent of a student (R) receives one of many laptops being loaned to students in need for remote learning at Yung Wing School in New York City. Getty Images / AFP

Teacher, Taira Astab during an online lecture at the Al Yasmina Academy in Abu Dhabi, on March 19, 2020. Victor Besa / The National

A music school teacher holds a one-to-one online flute lesson in her home in Nagykanizsa, southwestern Hungary, on March 17, 2020. EPA

A mother and daughter, 8, from Honduras, study English on March 30, 2020 in Mineola, New York. Getty Images / AFP

A PE teacher talks with his students during an online class at Nguyen Tat Thanh school in Hanoi, Vietnam, on March 19, 2020. AP

A girl in primary school does her homework, which was received on a digital portal, in her home in Gdansk, Poland, on March 17, 2020. EPA

More schools cut fees on Wednesday as the education sector prepares for a prolonged period of home learning.

School operators offered discounts in recognition that physical classes will not be held until after the summer.

Teachers across the country have delivered e-learning classes since last month – and parents demanded reductions in light of its limitations. Some schools offered cuts for this term while others lowered next year's fees.

Repton in Dubai and British School Al Khubairat (Bsak) in Abu Dhabi – two of the country's highest-ranked schools – both cut fees by 15 per cent.

Nord Anglia School in Dubai also cut fees by 15 per cent for the third term on Tuesday.

We acknowledge that the current situation does not allow us to deliver the same provision as usual

“We acknowledge that the current situation does not allow us to deliver the same provision as usual and therefore we need to provide some sort of relief to parents who are paying full term three fees this year,” read a letter sent to parents signed by Repton chief executive Nitin Kripalani.

“This 15 per cent discount will be applied across next year’s fees and is available for all children who complete Term 3 at the Repton family of schools and enrol for next year.”

The group also set up a support fund of Dh8 million to help families who are unable to pay the third term fees.

Eligibility will be decided after parents are means tested, it said. Gems Education has also told parents to expect means tests.

Matthew Farthing, principal of Nord Anglia, confirmed the 15 per cent reduction in a letter to parents on Wednesday.

He also thanked "our teachers who are working tirelessly to put in place the virtual learning to ensure we maintain the highest academic standards".

Taaleem, which operates 13 schools, offered parents a 20 per cent to 25 per cent fee discount for term three earlier this week.

Pupils in foundation and kindergarten will get a 25 per cent discount, while those in primary and secondary school will get a 20 per cent discount.

The operators will be reducing school fees next year at six of their schools in Dubai.

The school group is also offering families individual parent payment plans, re-enrolment packages, and a waiver on application fees.

“We have made the choice to support our parent community in these challenging times,” said Alan Williamson, chief executive of Taaleem.

Aldar Education, Abu Dhabi’s largest school group, confirmed a 20 per cent fee discount for term three to all pupils enrolled at Aldar Academies and Cranleigh Abu Dhabi.

"We may need to do more for some families, so we will establish an ‘all in this together’ fund to support those families who have been significantly impacted financially,” said chief executive Sahar Cooper.

Innoventures Education has also reduced its third term fee by 20 per cent.

The amount will be credited towards the first term fees for 2020-2021.

This will be applied at Collegiate American School, Dubai International Academy Emirates Hills and its branch in Al Barsha, Raffles International School, Raffles World Academy and Raffles Starters.

Pupils who leave at the end of the academic year 2019-2020 to relocate out of Dubai will receive a refund equivalent to 10 per cent of term three fees on withdrawal.

The group has also waived the re-enrolment fee for 2020-2021 and has offered a monthly payment plan to parents.

“We have developed a relief programme for all parents as the circumstances may be varied but relief is needed by all. We understand the hardship that many of you are going through in an environment where there are job losses and pay cuts,” said Poonam Bhojani, CEO, Innoventures Education in a letter to parents.

Meanwhile, Ranches Primary School has reduced term three fees by 20 percent for all foundation stage pupils, while a 15 percent discount has been offered to pupils in year one to six.

Schools tuition fee cuts

• Taaleem, which runs 13 schools, 25 per cent cut for foundation and KG, 20 per cent for primary schools, 20 per cent for secondary schools

• Aldar Academies, which runs seven schools, and Cranleigh Abu Dhabi - 20 - per cent

• Innoventures Education, which runs six schools in Dubai, has reduced its third term fee by 20 per cent

• Repton School - 15 per cent (for third term and 2020-2021)

• Nord Anglia School - 15 per cent

• Maple Bear School in Dubai - 50 per cent

• Horizon English School and Horizon International School in Dubai - 20 per cent

• Safa Community School in Dubai - 20 per cent

• The Next Generation School - 20 per cent

• Dubai English Speaking School and Dubai English Speaking College - 20 per cent

• Arcadia School in Dubai - 20 per cent