Schools have the right to suspend the distance learning programmes of students whose parents do not comply with 'agreeable' payment plans set by schools.

This is in line with the latest circular issued to all schools by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA).

According to the circular, schools have the right to withhold distance learning provision for students whose parents have not paid fees, nor come to a payment agreement with schools.

The circular, signed by Mohammad Darwish, CEO of Permits and Compliance at the KHDA, said: "We advise schools to contact parents who have not yet paid Term 3 fees to offer the option of a payment plan that is agreeable to both the school and the parent, so that children's education is able to continue uninterrupted."

Students across the country are continuing their education via e-learning as actual classes remain suspended until the end of this academic year.

These recent directives are aimed at balancing the needs of parents and schools. This also comes after parents have repeatedly requested the authorities to consider partial waiver of fees or offer needful relaxations during this period.

They mainly flagged concerns over transportation fees, uniforms and textbooks that children were not availing due to online learning.

Many had also said that in the absence of children in the school premises, various facilities like swimming pools, gyms and libraries were not in use.

Acknowledging parental concerns, some school authorities had also revealed their limitations, saying institutions needed to take pragmatic decisions.

They had earlier cited schools couldn't take a unilateral decision on this matter as the institutions' revenues were directly proportional to school fees.

nandini@khaleejtimes.com

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