The Indian High Group of Schools will not increase its fees for the next academic year, although it has government permission to raise them by up to 3 per cent.
In a letter to parents, Punit Vasu, Indian High Group of Schools' chief executive, announced that despite increasing operational costs and inflation rates, the group has decided to freeze tuition fees for the academic year 2023-2024.
“We are — exactly as we did last year — yet again choosing to keep school tuition fees as is this year, maintaining status quo,” Mr Vasu said in the letter.
He emphasised the group's commitment to affordable education.
“We strongly believe it is imperative to support all our stakeholders in ensuring they have continual access to world-class learning without having to face the added pressure of an increase in tuition fees,” Mr Vasu said.
The Indian High Group of Schools, which has three campuses in the emirate, is a non-profit group licensed by the Community Development Authority — Government of Dubai, and as a result it is entitled to apply for a fee adjustment greater than three per cent.
The group also highlighted its continued investments in technology, including interactive learning panels in all classrooms, and subsidising curriculum enrichment programmes and after-school activities.
“We do believe that you understand the magnanimity and generosity of the board of trustees in remaining steadfast in their support for learners and their parents, in ignoring yet another opportunity to justifiably increase school fees,” Mr Vasu said.
Big relief for parents
Parents with children in Indian High Schools have welcomed the news.
“Whenever there is a fee freeze, it is a big relief for parents,” said Sheharzad Abdullah, an insurance professional and a mother of three.
Ms Abdullah’s daughter Aaisha is a Grade 8 pupil at Indian High School Oud Metha, while her other two boys — Rahil, Grade 12 and Eisa, Grade 2 — attend private schools in Sharjah.
“We pay Dh1,800 plus Dh1,200 as a monthly fee for both boys. Aaisha’s school is the most affordable at Dh750 a month,” said Ms Abdullah, who is a former pupil of the same school in Oud Metha.
“Affordability and quality are the main factors that matter to parents. Indian High School is the best option available in Dubai on both counts.”
She said a 5 or 6 per cent fee increase this year as allowed by the KHDA would have been an additional drain on their income.
“We also have to pay for the school bus and other expenses. It is a big chunk of the income set aside for kids’ education,” she said.
“We are happy that the school is not going ahead with a fee hike this year.”
Abbas Iqbal, who has three children attending the IHS Garhoud branch, said the decision is in the best interest of parents. His daughter Nuha is in Grade 4 and his son Zidan is in Grade 2.
“My youngest daughter, Nairah will start her kindergarten in April this year. That is three tuition fees starting this year,” Mr Iqbal said.
“School education is expensive in Dubai and for parents who have two or three kids, that is one of the biggest long-term financial responsibilities.”
In addition to paying nearly Dh2,500 on tuition fees for his three children, Mr Iqbal said he also pays a Dh300 transportation fee for each child.
“I am the only working parent and keeping aside Dh5,000 at least for kids’ education is a big deal for many middle-income families,” he said.
“Living expenses in Dubai have gone up and many families are facing rental increases too. A school fee increase at this point would have been an added burden.”
On Friday, officials announced that some Dubai private schools will be allowed to increase tuition fees by up to 6 per cent in the 2023-2024 academic year.
Regulator the Knowledge and Human Development Authority said operational costs and the economic situation in the emirate were factors in the decision.
Tuition fees for Dubai's private schools have been frozen for the past three academic years.
The regulator said only schools which maintain or improve inspection ratings would be allowed to increase fees.
Fee increase guidelines
- Schools that maintain their inspection ratings will be eligible to raise tuition fees by up to three per cent.
- Schools that improve their rating from “weak” to “acceptable” and from “acceptable” to “good” can increase fees by up to six per cent.
- Schools that move from “good” to “very good” can increase fees by 5.25 per cent.
- Schools that improve from “very good” to “outstanding” can apply a 4.5 per cent rise.
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Stuck in a job without a pay rise? Here's what to do
Chris Greaves, the managing director of Hays Gulf Region, says those without a pay rise for an extended period must start asking questions – both of themselves and their employer.
“First, are they happy with that or do they want more?” he says. “Job-seeking is a time-consuming, frustrating and long-winded affair so are they prepared to put themselves through that rigmarole? Before they consider that, they must ask their employer what is happening.”
Most employees bring up pay rise queries at their annual performance appraisal and find out what the company has in store for them from a career perspective.
Those with no formal appraisal system, Mr Greaves says, should ask HR or their line manager for an assessment.
“You want to find out how they value your contribution and where your job could go,” he says. “You’ve got to be brave enough to ask some questions and if you don’t like the answers then you have to develop a strategy or change jobs if you are prepared to go through the job-seeking process.”
For those that do reach the salary negotiation with their current employer, Mr Greaves says there is no point in asking for less than 5 per cent.
“However, this can only really have any chance of success if you can identify where you add value to the business (preferably you can put a monetary value on it), or you can point to a sustained contribution above the call of duty or to other achievements you think your employer will value.”
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Seats open:
- Two for Africa Group
- One for Asia-Pacific Group (traditionally Arab state or Tunisia)
- One for Latin America and Caribbean Group
- One for Eastern Europe Group
Countries so far running:
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THE BIO
Favourite place to go to in the UAE: The desert sand dunes, just after some rain
Who inspires you: Anybody with new and smart ideas, challenging questions, an open mind and a positive attitude
Where would you like to retire: Most probably in my home country, Hungary, but with frequent returns to the UAE
Favorite book: A book by Transilvanian author, Albert Wass, entitled ‘Sword and Reap’ (Kard es Kasza) - not really known internationally
Favourite subjects in school: Mathematics and science
Innotech Profile
Date started: 2013
Founder/CEO: Othman Al Mandhari
Based: Muscat, Oman
Sector: Additive manufacturing, 3D printing technologies
Size: 15 full-time employees
Stage: Seed stage and seeking Series A round of financing
Investors: Oman Technology Fund from 2017 to 2019, exited through an agreement with a new investor to secure new funding that it under negotiation right now.
Squads
India (for first three ODIs) Kohli (capt), Rohit, Rahul, Pandey, Jadhav, Rahane, Dhoni, Pandya, Axar, Kuldeep, Chahal, Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar, Umesh, Shami.
Australia Smith (capt), Warner, Agar, Cartwright, Coulter-Nile, Cummins, Faulkner, Finch, Head, Maxwell, Richardson, Stoinis, Wade, Zampa.
match info
Maratha Arabians 138-2
C Lynn 91*, A Lyth 20, B Laughlin 1-15
Team Abu Dhabi 114-3
L Wright 40*, L Malinga 0-13, M McClenaghan 1-17
Maratha Arabians won by 24 runs
SCHEDULE
December 8: UAE v USA (Sharjah Cricket Stadium)
December 9: USA v Scotland (Sharjah Cricket Stadium)
December 11: UAE v Scotland (Sharjah Cricket Stadium)
December 12: UAE v USA (ICC Academy Oval 1)
December 14: USA v Scotland (ICC Academy Oval 1)
December 15: UAE v Scotland (ICC Academy Oval 1)
All matches start at 10am
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Goalkeepers Pickford (Everton), Pope (Burnley), Henderson (Manchester United)
Defenders Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Chilwell (Chelsea), Coady (Wolves), Dier (Tottenham), Gomez (Liverpool), James (Chelsea), Keane (Everton), Maguire (Manchester United), Maitland-Niles (Arsenal), Mings (Aston Villa), Saka (Arsenal), Trippier (Atletico Madrid), Walker (Manchester City)
Midfielders: Foden (Manchester City), Henderson (Liverpool), Grealish (Aston Villa), Mount (Chelsea), Rice (West Ham), Ward-Prowse (Southampton), Winks (Tottenham)
Forwards: Abraham (Chelsea), Calvert-Lewin (Everton), Kane (Tottenham), Rashford (Manchester United), Sancho (Borussia Dortmund), Sterling (Manchester City)
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4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
Match info
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Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6
Power: 450hp
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The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
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