SHARJAH // The education regulator in the emirate is probing complaints made against an English curriculum private school that it is imposing a higher than allowed tuition fee hike.
Sharjah Educational Zone has received allegations from parents that the school is charging Dh6,000 more than has been approved by the Ministry of Education for this school year.
Parents said that the hike is adding to their financial burden, especially for those who have more than one child studying at the school, which, they say, also charges various other additional fees.
They also said they hoped the ministry would monitor closely the private schools in the emirate for overcharging and stealth fees.
A source at the private schools department at the ministry said the complaints are being investigated and that the ministry will enforce the law by fining any school that is found to be flouting the rules.
The parents were asked to bring the receipts they have from the school to the educational zone to compare it to the official school fees authorised by the ministry.
The authority has previously warned private schools about increasing tuition fees or charging through different means without permission.
Sixty private schools in Sharjah were allowed to increase fees from between two to five per cent for the 2014-2015 school year.
Schools that wish to increase fees have to provide legitimate and reasonable reasons for the hike and a committee will approve or deny the request.
Complaints about private schools are investigated by Sharjah Educational Zone, which then recommends the appropriate action to the Ministry of Education.
tzriqat@thenational.ae
