Starbucks pulls out of Dubai primary school plan

Posted by: Aamir Monday, 17 May 2010 5:15 PM[UAE] - UAE

I see a lot of people criticising GEMS for this and that but still patronising GEMS by keeping thier children in their high price SHOPS. Two of my children were studying in one of their schools and I took both of them out when they increased the fees by 90-100%, in 2007. My company pays 75% of the childrens' school fees (and by god's grace I had a generous salary revision in that year), so the increase was not a big deal for me. But I took my children out of GEMS (though my kids wanted to stay in the same school for various reasons) as a matter of principle and since I did not want to contribute more to their profits. I can tell you my children are going to a good school now and are doing well. So guys, if you are not happy with GEMS, dump them and go to another school. if you want to continue with them for what ever reasons then please dont whine and whinge on these forums. Stop complaining or walk the talk! Cheers! Have a nice day

Posted by: Mindscape Monday, 17 May 2010 10:28 AM[UAE] - UAE

GEMS: Don't know what's up their sleeve next. Good idea of a waiting room for parents. As a parent year after year i have waited to only hear the increase in educational fees. The fee that i pay my 2kids for a month, the same amount my father spent to get me educated from KG to a university degree and here iam capable of expressing my views to AB. It is not GEMS fault, it is our fault. Looks like we give this impression to the likes of GEMS that we are living in a bubble world and we like this hype. If we stop giving these ideas, these greedy entrepreuners are likely tio change. Else get ready more quick fix brands to invade your lives.

Posted by: Poonam Monday, 17 May 2010 10:03 AM[UAE]

I agree to the opinion of having a healthy eating option Like "Subway" to come up, which would be able to cater to the needs of both children and parents.

Posted by: Nair Monday, 17 May 2010 8:53 AM[UAE] - UAE

Hi, I have a suggestion to the Gems Management, Why don?t you think about the Dunkin Donuts outlet? There the students and parents can ?COME TO SCHOOL? for Eat & Drink, right? And later once the school caught up the with the current market the management can convert the school to a leisure home.

Posted by: disturbed of dubai Monday, 17 May 2010 8:34 AM[UAE] - uae

As someone who is quick to criticise GEMS for their outrageous charges I find it sadly unsurprising that some parents object to a proposition that just may have offset some future fee increases. Parents who purport to be concerned about peer pressure on their kids should take more interest in their kids character building and values at home, rather than offloading the responsibility to school staff. Especially those parents who have their free time to spend in various coffee outlets in the vicinity where they sit and relax before ensuring they, or more likely, their maids, can go and collect their caffeine free offspring in their usually, illegally parked 4x4s.