Students' parents were surprised by the increase after registration... and considered it unjustified

Sharjah private schools raise bus subscription fees by 20%

Private schools did not raise the fees for buses.

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Parents of "Emirates Today" students informed that private schools in Sharjah raised school bus fees for the next academic year, by rates of up to 20%, and informed them of this decision after enrolling their children there, and not during registration, which put them in front of a "fait accompli", stressing that the increase Exaggerated and unjustified, while the directors of private schools said that they did not raise the school bus fees, despite their losses due to the operating cost, due to the failure to obtain the approval of the Sharjah Education Authority for the application of an increase, while others acknowledged raising school bus fees with a value that takes into account the circumstances Most of the students' families, intending the increase to raise oil prices.

For its part, the Sharjah Private Education Authority stated that, according to the policies and procedures followed in dealing with tuition fees applied in private schools in the Emirate of Sharjah and other emirates, private schools have the right to apply for an increase in tuition fees with a statement of the justifications and reasons for this, and the competent educational authorities, According to its tired policies, it issues the necessary decisions for these requests.

In detail, the parents of students criticized the decision of private schools in Sharjah to apply an increase of up to 20% on the subscription fees for school buses for the next academic year, stressing that the schools informed them after registration that they had obtained the approval of the Sharjah Private Education Authority for that increase.

Ahmed Hussein said that the costs of school buses for his children were 4000 dirhams per person, but he was surprised a few days ago when he was informed by the school administration of an increase to 4800 dirhams, which he considered an exaggerated and unjustified increase, explaining that the number of working days decreased from five days to four per week. Which makes it unjustified.

Ihab Muhammad said that the cost of his son's school bus was 3,300 dirhams annually, and he was surprised by the school administration informing him of an increase of 3,960 dirhams, stressing that this increase is large, and does not correspond to the increase in oil prices, nor with the number of school days, which decreased from last year.

Abdel-Sami’ Al-Sayed criticized the school informing him of an increase in the price of buses, as he lives in Ajman, and his children go to a school in Sharjah by school bus, noting that the costs of the bus were 3650 dirhams, and increased to 4380 dirhams for the next academic year, an increase of 20%, stressing that the increase is exaggerated. It does not take into account the conditions of the students' families.

While Ibrahim Farouk confirmed that he registered for his son in a school in Sharjah, and he was not informed of any increase in bus fees, but he was surprised by the school administration informing him of an increase in bus fees by 20%, which put him in front of the fait accompli, so that he could not transfer his child to another school Due to time constraints, and the lack of vacancies in most schools.

On the other hand, the director of a private school, Sawsan Badr, confirmed that bus services can be increased with the approval of the Sharjah Private Education Authority, especially since there are variables, but it is not permissible to apply an increase in expenses, in order to ensure the conditions of the students' families, explaining that the increase on buses is at reasonable rates.

She said: "With regard to new students, these services are subject to increase, and we inform the students' families during registration of the possibility of applying an increase, but the amounts are not large, as the increase ranges between 400 and 500 dirhams, and therefore the prices are not significantly high."

For his part, the owner of an international school in Sharjah, the Secretary of the System, said that after the “Corona” crisis, the number of students on the bus was reduced instead of 40 to 20 students due to the distance, in addition to the fact that the insurance company imposed additional fees of 20%, and it was charged for the capacity of the bus, not on the number of operating days.

He added that the bus is not allowed to enter Dubai or Ajman until after paying 2,000 dirhams an annual fee, in addition to the high price of diesel, and drivers' salaries are per month, not per day, and bus subscription fees are not enough for operating expenses.

He added that any increase that is applied must obtain the approval of the Sharjah Private Education Authority, adding that school fees are appropriate and since 2016 until now the school has not raised a single dirham on fees.

Principal of a private school, Ibrahim Baraka, said that bus fees did not increase in his school, due to lack of approval from the authority, pointing out that his chain of schools' fees are reasonable, adding: "We offer discounts and facilities in appreciation of the conditions of students' families, and discounts for outstanding students."

For its part, the Sharjah Private Education Authority confirmed to "Emirates Today" that according to the policies and procedures followed in dealing with tuition fees applied in private schools in Sharjah and other emirates, private schools have the right to apply for an increase in tuition fees with a statement of justifications and reasons, and the educational authorities undertake The competent authorities issue the necessary decisions for these requests, and accordingly, schools that obtain approval from the educational authority to increase fees shall apply that increase in accordance with the approvals issued for that.”

On the reason for the delay of some schools in informing students’ families of the increase, the authority indicated that schools are obligated when accepting new students or re-registering continuing students, to clarify the value of the school transport service fees for those who wish to benefit from this service, especially if the school has approval from the The Authority accepted the increase in these fees.

Flexibility

The Sharjah Private Education Authority affirmed its keenness to unify schools to develop their services for students’ families, follow effective means with them, and take into account flexibility and facilitation in procedures, while achieving the interests of students in order to achieve advanced education for students, while maintaining the quality of life in the educational community, and achieving the aspirations and expectations of students. students.

• «Sharjah Education»: private schools have the right to request an increase in tuition fees, with an explanation of the justifications and reasons.

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