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The average fee increase in Dubai schools this year will be 35 per cent lower as compared to previous years, the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) has said. While parents of over 90 per cent of students are looking at just a 2.07 per cent increase in school fees, a slab of the fee increase framework released on Tuesday showed that the maximum increase allowed this academic year is 4.14 per cent (see box).
The details came a day after Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council, approved the KHDA's updated school fees framework.
Last academic year, the Dubai Crown Prince had ordered a freeze on school fee increase to relieve parents of financial burdens. The updated framework motivates private schools to enhance their performance and rewards them when they improve the quality of education.
As per the updated framework, only schools that have improved in the annual school inspection ratings will be eligible for fee increases above the Education Cost Index (ECI) of 2.07 per cent. Private schools that have maintained the ratings will be allowed to increase their fees by only 2.07 per cent, while those dropping in rankings won't be allowed to up the fees.
Schools improving their rating from 'weak' or 'acceptable' will be eligible to increase their fees by 4.14 per cent - which is double the ECI. Those improving their rating from 'very good' to 'outstanding' will be eligible to increase their fees by 3.1 per cent - that is, 1.5 times the ECI - while those improving from 'good' to 'very good' will benefit from an increase of 3.6 per cent - 1.75 times the ECI.
The KHDA said the updated framework will make education "more affordable".
Dr Abdulla Al Karam, chairman of the board of directors and director general of the KHDA, said: "The fees framework takes into account the cost of living and financial expectations of families in Dubai."
Over the last seven years, 76 new schools have opened in Dubai and more than 80,000 new students have enrolled, marking a 40 per cent increase in the number of students attending private schools.
Dr Abdulla added: "Our earlier fee framework encouraged investors and schools owners to create capacity in Dubai's private education sector by offering new school seats and balancing the supply-demand gap. Moving forward, the new framework reflects our commitment to create a more robust and reliable private education sector that emphasises affordability, quality of education and more choices.
"We have consulted parents, schools, and the wider community in our effort to balance the expectations of all stakeholders and develop a comprehensive framework that recognises schools making an effort to improve their education offering."
As he approved the framework, Sheikh Hamdan had said that education is a top government priority. "Meeting the growing needs of future labour market requires successive developments in the education sector and developing proactive legislations that ensure enhancing the relationship between educational service providers, students and their families."
The framework will strike a balance between parents' needs and private schools' requirements to improve the quality of education.
Parents welcome reprieve
Suhas Pandit, Indian national
(11-year-old son studies in a UK curriculum school in Dubai)
"Well, it certainly does help us. Ever since the UAE authorities put a cap last year, it has been comforting to know that beyond a certain point, the schools will not increase the fees. The fees are generally very high in this country, and it would be nice if fees don't increase on a year-on-year basis. A fee hike once in two to three years is more affordable for parents, and especially in cases when both spouses are not working. Also, it is heartening to see the UAE government consider the needs of parents."
Amina Soussi, Algerian national,
(13-year-old son studies in an American-curriculum school in Dubai)
"I think it is a relief for us as parents that the fee hike is limited. It helps us plan better with expenses and extra-curricular activities. The same amount can be invested in placing kids in extracurricular activities like sports or learning a new language. A year ago, I was not able to put my son in a football academy. Sport and other extra-curricular activities balance his life. A move like this is especially beneficial for single-income households as a good chunk of the income goes into paying fees."
Venicia Vessoaker, Indian national
(12-year-old girl and 10-year-old son in a British curriculum school)
"As children grow older, school fees increase. When you think of it as two per cent, it might seem okay. However, parents have to spend thousands on books, uniform, re-registration fees during the school re-opening. However, I still think that the fee increase of 2 per cent is reasonable. It is not alarming as such. It helps us re-think finances, and you are a bit more prepared. The timing of the announcement is also good, because this is the start of the term, and a major chunk of the fees goes in the first term."
Errol Fernandes, Indian national
(13-year-old daughter and 5-year-old son in a British curriculum school)
"Since there was no increase last year, it did benefit us. However, if schools are hiking their fees, it is justified if schools are providing better facilities in terms of quality of education. We can also invest in extra-curricular activities for kids as it plays an important role in overall development. For example, my daughter's sports activities in the school take place only on a Saturday, but with the fee hike, if they can move it to a weekday activity, that would greatly benefit the parents."
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