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28 March 2024

School to make child pay price for fee delay

Published
By Sneha May Francis

A highly-reputed school in Dubai has sent out emails warning parents of the consequences they will face if their child’s school fees are not paid on time.

Emirates 24|7 is in possession of an email that was sent out by one of the schools belonging to a leading educational group in Dubai.

The e-mail lists out what action will be taken against the student in case his/her parents are unable to make the payment.

* Temporary suspension of your child from school for a period of 3 days (which period may be repeated as often as necessary until fees are received), in accordance with KHDA rules.

* Withholding of school reports and examination results/certificates.

* Non-issue of transfer certificate and/or educational transcripts.

* Non-issue of references and letters of recommendation.

* Suspension of (Parent Teacher Meetings) for your child until further notice and non-enrollment for next academic year.

The Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) oversees such issues in Dubai’s private schools.

According to their official website, they “do not support action which would disrupt a child’s learning during the school year. Schools are not permitted to suspend or expel students without authorisation from KHDA”.

According to the Private Education Bylaw, Article (52) schools can temporarily suspend a student but only after issuing three warnings to parents.

When Emirates 24|7 brought this issue to the KHDA’s notice, it said they would investigate the matter.

Similar cases have been reported earlier in some Dubai schools, where students were reportedly subjected to humiliation for delay in fee payment.

A teacher from a leading private school confirmed, on condition of anonymity, that sometimes children are punished for any such lapses.

“I’ve seen children being asked to stand outside the classroom until their parents bring the money.

“And, there have been times when teachers scold the children in front of their classmates. This can be extremely humiliating.

“The schools don’t realise that this can impact a child badly. And, why should a child be punished for their parent’s slip-up.”