55,000 pupils to be affected by fee increase

55,000 pupils to be affected by fee increase
By Siham Al Najami and Sunita Menon, Staff Reporters GULF NEWS Published: March 26, 2008, 00:06

Dubai: More than 40 of the 137 private schools in Dubai have been allowed to increase fees by up to 16 per cent for the next academic year.

This means that around 55,475 pupils will be affected by the new fee hike. The Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) on Tuesday said it would continue with the 16 per cent cap on fee hike it announced last year.

"We are continuing the fee cap for the next academic year and schools, which did not increase their fees last year, are allowed to hike the fee but not more 16 per cent," said Dr Abdullah Al Karam, Chairman of the Board of Directors and Director General at KHDA.

There were about 92,451 pupils affected by the fee hike last year, most of whom enrolled in schools that implemented the full fee hike.

Currently there are 137 private schools in Dubai with a total strength of 153,000 pupils.

Parents welcome move

The Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) announced on Tuesday that the decision in consultation with and approved by the Executive Council of the Government of Dubai. The new announcement made by the authority on 16 per cent ceiling on fee hike, however, has not gone down well with many schools in Dubai, but the move has been welcomed by parents.