Parents and pupils in fight to keep popular English College Primary School open

School says it will close next summer after Dubai's education regulator ruled out it increasing fees by 20 per cent, an increase that parents are willing to pay.

DUBAI // Parents and pupils have rallied to keep their school open after management said it would close its doors in June next year because of financial problems.

Many parents of the 400 children at the English College Primary School said they were willing to shell out more money in tuition fees to keep the school open.

The school said the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), Dubai’s education regulator, had turned down its request to increase fees by 20 per cent.

“Many of us are keen to pay the increase,” said Sithara Wickramasinghe, whose twin girls are in grade 4. “It’s really a nice place to be around and is a home away from home for the kids.

“We are very sad, frustrated and don’t know what to do. My girls came to me this week and asked if I could give them some money to take to their school and save it from closing down. They are too young to understand the reality.”

Another parent said the closure warning had come out of the blue.

“We are shocked,” said Lena Hughes, whose daughter is in grade 5. “No one expected it and saw it coming. Kids don’t want to change.”

Mrs Hughes said that while a 20 per cent fee increase was “steep”, she would pay it if that was the only option.

In a letter to parents, the school said that June 30 next year would be its last day and it would help pupils find places at other schools. Its secondary education section would remain open.

In the letter, the primary school’s head teacher, William Johnston, said the reasons for the closure were purely business. He said the primary phase of the English College had been making a loss, which could not be sustained.

“The KHDA, who controls fees in all private schools, has refused permission to raise our fees and therefore the board has come to the decision to close,” Mr Johnston said.

The primary school charges between Dh23,600 and Dh29,000 a year for a place. It was ranked “good” by the KHDA during its annual inspection last year, when it increased its fees by 4.5 per cent.

A school’s ranking determines by how much it is allowed to raise fees.

Private schools ranked acceptable can increase fees by 3 per cent, while schools rated good can raise fees by 4.5 per cent. Outstanding schools are allowed a 6 per cent increase.

No schools were allowed to increase fees this year after KHDA’s annual inspections.

The English College said it had increased fees only twice in the past nine years.

“When the school opened in 2004, our fees were set quite low to attract parents,” said Mr Johnston.

“We never caught up with the other schools and, not very long after, KHDA moved in and restricted fee increases.

“It is a unique situation that parents are offering to pay more. We hope the school can be open.”

About 25 teachers and 20 support staff work at the school.

The KHDA said it hoped to find a solution.

“We are working closely with all associated parties at English College, keeping the best interests of students in mind,” said Dr Abdulla Al Karam, the authority’s director general.

“We appreciate the issue has caused distress to parents, teachers and students. As soon as further information is available, English College will be communicating directly with parents.”

A parent said children had written letters to the school board and to the KHDA, hoping the decision would be reversed.

“All of us love the school,” said Shelagh Estment, who has started a Facebook campaign, SOS English College Primary School, to save the school.

“There is such a community feeling and this is evident in how we are fighting to keep it open. Children are writing letters to KHDA and the school board.”

Mrs Estment, whose boys are in grades 4 and 6, said she was prepared to pay higher fees to keep the school open.

“We would be willing to pay the 20 per cent fee increase,” she said. “We realise it is a big jump but, if we move to another school, we are looking at paying 30 to 40 per cent more. That is why parents are willing to take a bigger knock.”