Schools in Dubai cut fees to lure more pupils

DUBAI // More private schools are offering financial incentives to attract parents as competition increases to fill seats.

RAEY School Bus

About 20 private schools are expected to open in the emirate for the next school year, bringing the total to 193.

Mohammed Darwish, chief of regulations at the Knowledge and Human Development Authority, said that new schools realised they would have to provide extra value for money to compete.

Mr Darwish said the KHDA, which regulates private schools in Dubai, did not offer scholarships, “but we are aware of several schools that offer financial relief to parents who might need it.

“Families in need are approaching schools themselves for viable options.”

James Mullan, co-founder of Dubai education consultancy WhichSchoolAdvisor.com, said that while scholarships were only offered by some schools, they were an important part of private education.

“It is still very much a small percentage of schools, although clearly growing, so far in Dubai,” said Mr Mullan.

“Nine out of 10 parents claim school fees are a source of financial stress, so clearly anything that will lessen the pain will have an impact.”

He said scholarships were embedded in private school systems around the world and gave gifted but less advantaged children access to the best education.

“We hope the trend continues.”

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