The fee increment that schools implemented earlier this year has been used for several infrastructural developments which are usually done during holidays, specifically in the long vacations, when students are out of class.
Several school heads across the respective schools in the Emirates stated that summer break is the best time to refurbish school infrastructure.
Students were back at school on Monday to improve facilities in their school after their long holidays. The enhancement for pupils includes smart classrooms, laboratories, libraries and resource centers, and quality ICT, sporting and recreational facilities.
Sangita Chima, Amity School Dubai Principal said: “A lot of money is put into the development of the school facilities; this year alone see we have a newly furnished IT laboratory for the Grade 10 students inclusive of all types of equipment, advanced technological requirements, and other things that accommodate the various learning activities all over the phases; all the labs have been provided with adequate facilities as the student enrollment has grown tremendously.”
First, it would be important to stress that this year private schools in Dubai were permitted to raise their fees to a maximum of 5.2%, depending on the result of the latest KHDA annual inspections.
Teacher development
Other principals pointed out two areas of priority spending other than infrastructure – faculty training has also been funded by these (fee hike) resources.
James McDonald, Principal/CEO, GEMS Wesgreen International School – Sharjah said: “As for fees, a part of the total is spent on campus development and making sure that our campuses are provided with updated resources, infrastructure, and equipment, but a great deal is put into teachers’ training and students’ services and activities as well. “
This approach is granted to make sure that our students obtain advantage from both best faculties as well as best facility physical structure that is also developing constantly.
” Each aspect of fee biomass has been strategically developed in order to enhance student education and development,” he said.
McDonald mentioned the fact that the school has developed over the years new environments such as robotics and STEAM rooms that are equipped with innovative resources as well as receptionist areas in the Administration and Kindergarten wings.
“We have also provided specifically for our secondary students’ spiritual needs by providing specific prayer rooms for them As for the future plans, the board is eagerly anticipating the internal extension of the Kindergarten farm that is to be built soon as well as the installation of the retractable cricket nets for both campuses.”
However, some of the school heads also affirmed that any rises mainly end up with rewarding the teachers.
Simon Herbert, Head of School/CEO, GEMS International School – Al Khail, said: “Any increases are first of all channeled toward teachers’ salaries and are not due to facility improvements increased over the years,” She further noted; “It is however pertinent that our schools are well maintained to meet the expectations of our families as is rightfully expected of us.”
She said GIS improvements made over the summer are a true reflection of the strategy, vision, and mission of the school.
The principals noted that parents and families entering the new school year appear to be impressed by the enhanced lobby, reception, finance, and admission offices.
“We now have a new Primary Inclusion Centre – and this again underlines our commitment to serve our expanding and developing community. We also introduced new larger art facilities for our Primary students and a new ‘for soon to be opened’ senior hub for our DP/CP Grade 11 and 12 students In addition, increased ‘the construction site’s activities for the contractors, and our facilities teams during the summer, and once again – our gratitude goes to all of them for their hard work,” Herbert added.