News Dubai

Proposed fee increase defended
By Faisal Masudi and Wafa Issa, Staff Reporters

Dubai: An education provider at the centre of a controversy over the fee hike has warned that individual schools here may eventually close if they are banned from increasing fees to offset rising costs.

Hugh MacPherson, GEMS Chief Operating Officer, defended the proposed hike, saying higher fees will help pay attractive salaries for foreign teachers who contribute to the "highest standards" of UAE education.

The group, which runs 22 schools nationwide, wanted to increase fees above and beyond the current ceiling at 11 of its Indian curriculum schools.

At present, a school cannot raise fees over 20 percent within three years.

He said schools not part of a large organisation like GEMS, which stands for Global Education Management Systems, may not survive escalating expenses if the government turns down their request for a fee hike, and more revenue is needed to maintain a "supply-chain of expatriate teachers".

He told Gulf News: "We as a group know how to operate schools and deliver, but it's inevitable single schools will face significant pressure (to close) if costs rise every year like this.

"To make it attractive for quality teachers to come and stay, there will have to be some consideration for them. Currently, there's the same challenge everywhere: Dubai's enjoying huge growth and how can they (schools) recruit quality people who are key to this sustainable formula?"

Although, he said, competition "is a healthy thing", a growing number of schools and higher parent expectations means educators have to ask for more money to maintain their standards and keep their edge, according to MacPherson.

When MacPherson's comments were put to headteachers of some stand-alone schools here, many agreed they faced a growing financial crisis.

Aghsan Mousa, vice-president of The New Filipino Private School in Sharjah, said: "Some schools will close down the profits are not there. The buses are not earning, there has to be weekly maintenance of buildings. A student population of 200 is not enough (to stay afloat). We prefer increases, but we can't ask for that until our facilities improve, for sure."

Another such school added that they "have to look after their staff" since they are in the same boat as everyone else in the emirates' daily grind.

"The costs are too high, we have to pay staff these people need rent-money too," explained Carlos Munoz, principal of Far Eastern Private School in Sharjah.

"Fees have to go up, but by how much this is the question. The need is there but the amount will differ from school to school. There're plans here to increase fees next school-year. I understand parents' situation and some of them also understand the 'business game' even if they can't afford it (the raise). You have to meet halfway, you have to have dialogue."

"We as a group know how to operate schools and deliver, but it's inevitable single schools will face significant pressure [to close] if costs rise ... like this."

Many applications 'will not be approved'

Most schools in the UAE which have applied for a tuition fee increase, will not get their applications approved in full by the Ministry of Education, Juma Al Salami, assistant undersecretary for private education, said yesterday.

"Tens of schools have applied for fee increases of 20 per cent or more, but different schools have been permitted a rise of between 5 and 15 per cent, depending on the individual cases," he said.

The main factors that have determined the increase are the service, the teaching and curriculum quality provided by the school, he said.

"There are schools that apply for a fee increase every year regardless of any improvements done in reality, these schools' applications have been totally rejected," said Al Salami.

The ministry understands the reality of the inflation and the pressure it puts on schools, but at the same time the school managements should not look at schools as a merely business venture.