Confirmed the high cost of smart transformation
School administrations refuse to reduce bus fees despite "hybrid learning"
Transportation fees will not change despite the reduction in the number of students per bus. Archives
Private schools in the northern emirates have confirmed that they will not reduce their fees for the new academic year, nor the transportation fees, even if hybrid learning or distance learning is fully implemented, and attributed this to the employment of educational personnel at all school levels, and pointed out that students will receive the full Classes and activities, whether in the classroom or remotely, and sports activities will be practiced remotely without dispensing with any systematic class on the agenda.
On the other hand, parents of students said that the refusal to reduce fees prompts them to search for schools that are less expensive and take into account their economic conditions due to the emerging Corona virus crisis, pointing out that students will not use school facilities if distance learning is applied, and they will not benefit from activity classes, so schools must apply fees. Scholarships based on the services you provide.
The director of Al-Noor School in the Emirate of Sharjah, Rola Muhammad Raghab Nasab, told "Emirates Today" that the school will not reduce its fees or transportation fees, because the cost of smart transformation is high, as smart screens have been installed to transfer classes directly to students remotely. In the classroom, 30% will use all school facilities, in addition to the technical and sports activities classes will be activated.
She explained that the school did not end the services of any teacher, and that all educational staff will work in the school, stressing that the schools did not reduce teachers ’salaries in order to reduce tuition fees.
Nasab considered that distance learning is more expensive than field learning, and that the transportation of students on buses will be in two stages for some schools, which means that the matter will be more expensive, without an increase in transportation fees, pointing out that the health and preventive requirements applied by private schools in Its facilities are expensive and cumbersome, noting that the school took into account the economic conditions of students' families and did not raise tuition fees for the new academic year.
The registration official at a private school in Umm Al Quwain, Faisal Abu Shakra, said that there is no justification for reducing tuition fees or transportation fees, especially that the school will operate at full capacity from educational and administrative staff, and all its facilities will be operated for students to return to classes according to the percentages approved by the competent authorities.
He explained that the school hours, whether hybrid or remote, will not be completely reduced, as the class will start as if students are in the semester, and the hours will end according to the study plans approved in the school, and he continued that students will receive all school curricula without disrupting any subject, including Activities and sports classes.
He pointed out that the school administration has paid exorbitant sums of money in order to switch to the hybrid system, equip classrooms and convert them into smart rooms directly linked to the devices of observers, supervisors and the school director in order to monitor the progress of the educational process.
He mentioned that the transportation fees will not change, as in the past 52 students were transported in each bus in one go, and during the new academic year the students will be transported in batches at the rate of 12 students per bus, which will cost the school a lot of money in terms of fuel and maintenance.
The deputy director of a private school that applies the American curriculum in Ras Al Khaimah, who refused to publish her name, indicated that the school did not reduce its educational and technical services until it reduced its fees, adding that it could not be reduced either in distance learning or in the school, because the student receives the same study materials and the same working hours Without any change.
She explained that the school did not raise the tuition fees and did not hold students responsible for smart transformation in its classrooms, as the school spent large sums of money in order to install screens and strengthen Internet services and prepare and download educational programs on smart applications to keep pace with distance learning.
The relatives of students, Maher Subhi, Musab Al-Radim and Majd Saada, said that the continuation of distance learning during the new academic year at the end of this month, without a reduction in tuition fees, is not commensurate with the services that schools will provide to students.
They added that students will not use the school's facilities, which may reduce the cost of energy, water and other services, and they will not engage in any sporting or artistic activities in the event that distance learning is implemented, pointing to the need for schools to review the issue of tuition fees and take into account the conditions of students' families. Economic in light of the Corona crisis, especially as private companies continue to reduce employee salaries.
Review the decision not to reduce fees
Students with students indicated that they will bear the full burden instead of the school in following their children through distance learning, from 7:30 in the morning until 12 in the afternoon, so schools must review the decision not to reduce tuition fees to raise the psychological and financial burdens on families and help them implement the learning mechanism From a distance, to serve the interest of students, their families, and private schools.
• With students: Schools should apply fees based on the services they provide.
Schools: Students receive all classes and activities, either in class or remotely.