KHDA head slams 'commercialised' UAE schools

MONEY MACHINES: UAE schools have been criticised by parents for exorbitant fee hikes over the last few years.

In a wide-ranging television interview, the head of the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) has admitted that some private schools in the UAE have become “over-commercialised”.

KHDA chair Dr Abdullah Al Karam also reiterated his stance that the school fee hikes that have become commonplace over the last few years, are not justified in 2010.

“According to our records as a regulator, for the last three years, the schools increased their fees by an average of eight percent – just the tuition,” Al Karam told Dubai Tonight.

“In the last three to four years there has been almost a double digit increase on fees... because of many issues round here: economical issues, rent issues, inflation issues,” he continued. “That was in the past… we don’t see those figures [as being] more justifiable this academic year.”

Under a new scheme, the authority is allowing schools with better ratings to increase their fees by a higher percentage, while underperforming institutions have been limited to a seven percent raise.

“For the first time ever we have said that if you [the school] are going to increase [the fees] let it not be one-size-fits-all. Let it be linked to the quality,” Al Karam said.

The KHDA chief also acknowledged the rising concerns from parents over the quality of the Arabic curriculum and reaffirmed that the teaching of the language was a major criterion in the schools assessment process.

Al Karam said that the quality of the Arabic language curriculum in private schools was “not so good” but added that the private sector generally had the advantage over the public sector with regard to the English language curriculum.

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READERS' COMMENTS

KHDA and Fee increases
Posted by Siddarth Bhide, Dubai, UAE on Wednesday 3 March 2010 at 13:41 UAE time


I find it hard that KHDA mentioned this as they were the ones who approved a 905 increase in school fees over two year for Dubai Modern High School. So who much validity does this statement from them carry.

Furthers income divides..
Posted by kingkaiser on Thursday 11 February 2010 at 10:49 UAE time


In the middle of the article, its mentioned that schools that do better will be allowed to increase fees more than schools that do poorly. Obviously this incentivizes schools to up their standards, however by linking rate increases to better standards, this will put quality education even more out of reach of the lower income earners.
A move towards quality is good, but in certain areas, affording everyone equal opportunities matters as well - the government should try to think of other ways to improve standards apart from fee increases.

KGI admission entry fees
Posted by Rama, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates on Thursday 11 February 2010 at 02:22 UAE time


I would like to bring notice that in sharjah many schools are charging
250 dhs an admission entry fees. also unqualified teachers do child admission test. Its an insult to the education system and to the school. some schools charge 50 dhs to 100 dhs atleast this is reasonable. I hope why cant KHDA fixup an standard admission form
50 dhs in all schools. I am very much surpriesed. I am sure these schools make atleast 100000 dhs. even though they dont show these
as real money in their account books collected from parents like us.

KADA You need to do your homework
Posted by Maroun on Wednesday 10 February 2010 at 19:59 UAE time


I urge KHDA to review thoughroly each private school fees and see if it is indeed justifiable? 10 schools in Jumeirah area charge between 20-30,000 Dhs for Nursery and KG.CAN ANYONE JUSTIFY THAT???

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