Dubai-based private school giant GEMS revealed on Friday that it would be increasing the pay of its teaching staff following the announcement by the KHDA that school fees would increase in Dubai.
“We are pleased to confirm also today that we will be implementing teacher salary increases in April for our Indian curriculum schools and in September for our International schools,” Dino Varkey, Group CEO of GEMS Education told Arabian Business.
GEMS Education is world’s biggest private school operator, teaching 140,000 students from 175 countries.
The news follows an announcement from Dubai’s Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) that private school fees would be increasing 3 percent in the upcoming academic year.
According to the KHDA statement, the fee increase has been approved considering various factors including Dubai’s economic situation and the operational costs of private schools.
“Today’s decision by KHDA to increase school fees for academic year 2023/2024 empowers us to invest further in our teachers and facilities – the foundations of quality education for every GEMS student,” Varkey said on the fee increase.
The increases in school fees will only apply if the school in question maintains or increases inspection ratings, KHDA said in its statement.
“The rate by which schools can increase fees is tied to each school’s most recent inspection rating from the Dubai Schools Inspection Bureau,” the statement read. Schools that drop in inspection ratings will not be allowed to implement fee increases.
KHDA in the statement highlighted that the quality of education has to be maintained alongside other factors.
Mohammed Darwish, Chief Executive Officer of Permits and Compliance Sector at KHDA said, “The School Fees Framework emphasises the quality of education offered by schools as the foundation for any adjustments allowed in school fees. The framework also provides transparency for families and offers them a choice of schools that match their financial and academic requirements.”
Private schools in the emirate has seen a hike in enrollment of up to 4.5 percent. The city has also seen the opening of 22 new schools in three years, increasing the number of private schools in the Emirate to 216.
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