No increase in Dubai school fees this year: Sheikh Hamdan

There will be no school fees increase in any private school in Dubai, thanks to a landmark decision taken by the leaders of the UAE, in efforts to relieve parents of financial burdens.

His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council, made the announcement on Twitter on Wednesday evening.

"During the meeting of the Executive Council, we decided not to increase school fees for all private schools in Dubai for the 2018-2019 academic year, with the aim of relieving the financial burdens on parents and to put this decision into effect immediately," Sheikh Hamdan tweeted.

Expensive tuition fees has been a major an ongoing concern for many parents across Dubai. Most private schools in Dubai have a high tuition, a few crossing Dh100,000 for each child per grade.

Khaleej Times spoke to a few parents on this move and they are overjoyed by the news.

Archana Desai, a mother of two children, and she pays dh23,000 total, excluding books, transportation and extra-circular activities.

"If the fees will not increase that is great news for parents because they cannot afford fees if it keeps increasing for each child, especially if they have more than one child. This will really benefit parents and it's a great step the government has taken," she said.

Another, Pranesh Nair, has two kids in grade 4 and KG 1 and he pays more than 30,000 total for school fees.

"It's a very good move. The rulers of Dubai are always thinking about the future and they are giving importance to the parents. To not increase the price, is directly helping the parents. Normally, they increase it every year, but, this will help us financially. Already we feel that it's too much, so, this will definitely help. The leaders are really thinking in a positive way," Nair said.

A parent of three children in an American school, Natasha Roberts, pays more than dhs80,000 yearly for children's school fees.

"We will not have to worry about paying more next year. It's a huge relief. I feel like this move could have come sooner and I hope it stays like this," she said.

Source: https://www.khaleejtimes.com/news/education/no-increase-in-school-fees-in-dubai-this-year-sheikh-hamdan-