Abu Dhabi rejects fee rise by private schools

Abu Dhabi education authorities have rejected requests by some local private schools to double their tuition fees on the grounds any increase must not exceed five per cent, the semi official daily Alittihad said on Wednesday.

The Abu Dhabi Education Council, which oversees the operation of public and private schools in the emirate, said it had approved applications by some private schools to lift their tuition fees by five per cent.

"We have received applications from several private schools asking to hike their tuition fees by 100 per cent......we approved only those which asked for a five per cent rise and only in some special cases," the paper quoted Yousuf Al Shiryani, the Council's adviser, as saying.

"The Council has specific rules for the operation of private schools in the emirate...no school can raise its fees without our approval otherwise this will be considered a punishable offence...we have set a five per cent ceiling for any increase in education fees by private schools."

Alittihad said current fees at private schools stand at Dh6,000-10,000 per year, adding that more than 165,000 students are on roll at those schools.

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