DUBAI — Parents of children studying in private schools in the UAE could witness tuition fee increases anywhere between five and 30 per cent in the next academic year, following an amended ministerial decree issued by the Ministry of Education (MoE).
A copy of the decree, dated May 29, 2008, which is with Khaleej Times, would apply to all private schools in the country and would be in accordance with previous fee hikes in each school. Minister of Education Dr Hanif Hassan issued the decree after reviewing the necessary information.
According to a clause in the decree, the minister has decided that fee increases for schools, which have applied an increase last academic year (2007-2008), should be between five and 10 per cent. In case, the school hasn't increased fees for two consecutive academic years, then the increase should be 10-20 per cent and in case there has been no increase for three years, the hike can range between 20 and 30 per cent.
Another clause says that exemption for certain schools would be at the discretion of the minister.
Dr Hassan had confirmed to KT on Tuesday of an impending uniform increase in tuition fee in all private schools. He said that it was being considered and would be announced next week.
The minister has been scrutinising a report provided by a committee, tasked with evaluating the practices adopted by private schools to increase the fees, since increase percentages varied from one emirate to another.
Page last updated 01 January 2020