FNC to call for limits on rises in school fees

Dubai member to ask education minister about curbs on ever-increasing charges that force parents to seek out bank loans.

Azza bin Suleiman, FNC member from Dubai, wants to know what can be done to curb fee increases. Ravindranath K / The National

ABU DHABI // Tighter limits need to be placed on the fees private schools can charge, the Minister of Education will be told on Tuesday.

Federal National Council members are to debate a motion that asks the Government to assess charges and fees.

Dubai representative Azza bin Suleiman said many parents have to take out bank loans to cover each term’s fees.

Dubai limits the amount each school can raise fees each year. A 2.4 per cent increase can be levied for average and under-performing schools, while up to a 4.8 per cent rise can be demanded by the highest rated.

In Dubai and Abu Dhabi, fees of between Dh60,000 and Dh100,000 for average to top schools are common.

Even if fee increases are limited, school operators can levy other charges, she said.

“The issue goes beyond the annual fees. There are charges for many other things that schools are creatively raising,” said Mrs Suleiman.

These include payments for text books, uniforms and interviews for new pupils.

Parents are often charged for securing a place, which is non-refundable, while there are significant fees for teaching assistants for children with special or additional needs.

All of this leads to a greater problem, Mrs Suleiman said.

“Even banks have recognised that school fees require loans, and they started offering those,” she said.

“Private school fees are over-increasing year after year. It has become a stressful issue and a burden for nationals, especially when there is no alternative to private schooling.”

“So what is the ministry doing to limit this trend?” she said in her question to Minister of Education Hussain Al Hammadi.

“I will address the issue with him at a federal level. There must procedures and standards to control this.”

“If the increases are unavoidable, at least the standards of education should rise with the charges,” Mrs Suleiman said.

“If I pay that much, I need the education to be exceptional. If the student is to continue his education abroad, his standards need to be high.”

Mrs Suleiman said she is keen to find out what the ministry is doing to limit charges.

She asked for Article 51 of Federal Law 28 of 1999 to be put into effect.

It states: “Capping of school fees is done based on the request of the licence owner and it is impermissible for him to increase the fees before at least three years from opening the school, or since the last increase, on the condition that he gets the approval of the ministry and the increase should not exceed 20 per cent and the reason behind the increase should be presented with evidence.”

Gems has increased its fees from Dh67,000 in 2012 to Dh72,000 this academic year.

Kareem Al Amoudi, whose two sons attend the school, said the administration has been sending them emails every year announcing increases.

He said: “One should keep in mind that some schools have increased their tuition fees substantially by increasing the number of students per class from 18-20 to somewhere between 24-30 students - an increase which benefits the income of the school but obviously has a negative impact on the teacher-to-student ratio.”

When the school received approval this year, the fee rose by Dh5,000.

While The International School of Choeifat has not increased its fees over the years, the fees for enrolling pupils in its new building on Yas Island are double that of the main school branch in Abu Dhabi.

The FNC is also expected to pass a draft that amends a 2002 law regarding the veterinary profession. Members are also to discuss how to protect and increase food production.