Dubai private schools to raise fees

DUBAI: The Dubai Government has allowed 117 private schools to increase fees for the academic year 2015-16.

The Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) of Dubai has stated that the fee increase is based on the schools' annual inspection report and the Education Cost Index (ECI). The ECI is linked to cost of living and school operating costs. The index, calculated by the Dubai Statistics Centre, every year, was 2.92 per cent this year and therefore the schools have been allowed to increase tuition fees by up to 6 per cent. Depending on the rating of the schools, slabs have been created for hikes of 5.84 per cent, 4.38 per cent and 2.92 per cent.

Many parents have complained of frequently increases in school fees in the UAE. According to The Natiional, British-curriculum schools fees rose to $23,100 (Dh85,000) a year. US curriculum school fees rose to $17,700.

According to Clive Pierrepont, director of Taaleem, an education provider that runs 10 schools in Dubai, "The quality of any school never exceeds the quality of its teachers." The Taaleem schools are: International Curriculum: The Children's Garden: The Children's Garden, Green Community; The Children's Garden, Jumeira 2; The Children's Garden, Al Barsha 2; National Curriculum for England: Dubai British School, Jumeirah Park; Dubai British Foundation, Jumeirah Islands; Dubai British School, Emirates Hills; American Curriculum: Al-Mizhar American Academy, Mirdif; International Baccalaureate Programmes: Greenfield Community School, Dubai Investments Park; Jumeira Baccalaureate School, Jumeira 1; Uptown School, Mirdif;

The KHDA claims a steady growth in the education sector. The Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) is a regulatory authority of the Government of Dubai, United Arab Emirates, ensuring quaity education. It oversees the private education sector in Dubai, from primary to higher education. Set up apart from the UAE Commission for Academic Accreditation, which deals only with matters of accreditation, the Dubai KHDA ensures international standards and best practices in education by constantly updating with institutions abroad and overseeing the functioning of all educational institutions in Dubai.

September 10, 2015

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