Dubai Parent Alert: Have to sign contract with child's school

If you thought that signing your employment contract followed by a rental contract was all you’d sign this year, we have news for you.

Dubai parents will now have to enter a legal contract with their child’s school that will outline their relationship.

Yes, you heard it right.

Dubai’s Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) has announced that, from now on, parents and schools will have to sign on a legal contract.

Titled the School Parent Contract, it will include “refund and admission policies, school fees, attendance and punctuality, as well as health and safety provision and transportation,” the KHDA said in a statement.

“It will also address parental responsibilities such as providing schools with accurate medical, psychological and educational assessment records.”

This step, the education regulatory authority believes, will help benefit both parties.

It is designed to “promote positive relationships and protect the rights of both schools and families,” it says.

The signing of Parent School Contract will be mandatory for student registration and will be rolled out to six schools at the start of the 2013-14 year.

The schools are Dubai Modern Education School, Al Ittihad Private School - Al Mamzar, Al Ittihad Private School – Jumeriah, School of Modern Skills, Greenwood International School and American Academy in Al Mizhar. The contract will involve a total of 9,632 students.

KHDA will determine whether the contract will be effective in reducing disputes between parents and schools in these schools.

Based on these evaluations, this concept will be further expanded, the KHDA says.

“Constructive relationship between the school and family is essential to ensuring excellence in education,” said Amal Bel Hasa, Chief of Compliance and Resolution Commission at KHDA.

“A detailed list of terms and conditions will be beneficial to both schools and parents, enabling them to fully understand expectations and responsibilities.

“In addition to this contract, schools should have effective procedures to address and mitigate parental concerns and complaints. At the same time, it’s important we recognise the vital role parents play as a resource in the educational experience of their children. We’d like to thank the schools for their participation.”

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