Dubai: Private schools in Dubai can increase their fees for the academic year 2015/16 by a minimum of 2.92 per cent up to a maximum of 5.84 per cent, depending on their ratings following annual school inspections.

This increase is based on the new Education Cost Index (ECI), which has risen from 1.74 per cent to 2.92 per cent, the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) announced.

The ECI is calculated annually by the Dubai Statistic Centre which takes into account the consumer price index and school operation costs including remuneration, rent and utilities.

Based on the new ECI, schools rated ‘outstanding’ in the next inspection results — due on April or May — can increase their fees by 5.84 per cent (double the ECI).

Schools rated ‘good’ can increase their fees by 4.38 per cent (1.5 the ECI), while schools rated acceptable or unacceptable can increase their fees by 2.92 per cent.

“The fees framework balances the needs of schools and parents,” explained Mohammad Darwish, Chief of Regulations and Permits Commission at KHDA. “We are witnessing steady growth within the education sector, leading to increased stability. The ECI is directly linked to inflation and an increased cost in living.”

This ECI is only applicable for the academic year 2015/16.

Following the public announcement of DSIB’s annual ratings, schools wishing to change their fees must apply to KHDA’s Regulations and Permits Commission for approval.

The fee framework, which has been applied for the past four years, has been developed in line with the strategic goals of KHDA and is connected with Dubai School Inspection Bureau’s quality indicators. Before its implementation, extensive research was carried out, including numerous surveys with parents and investors.

The KHDA said the framework motivates schools to improve the quality of education, whilst at the same time protecting the interests of both parents and investors.

Principal of Ittihad Private School, Hania Jardan, welcomed the fee increase saying that it will help her school provide better services.

“As a management, the increase will help us introduce new services and bring in tools that can help improve the quality of education of our children. For example, we can introduce more iPads as only some students have access to them. We can also renovate the rest of our departments and we can also, hopefully, increase the salaries for our teachers to decrease staff turnover.”

Hania said the increase is necessary to meet KHDA standards. “They ask for many things and without these fees, we won’t be able to meet their expectations. There are many new schools in Dubai that already have the latest technology and buildings, so we need the finances to be at par with these new schools. For example, we want to increase the number of electronic laboratories.”

Dr Ashok Kumar, CEO, Indian High school, also believes the fee increase will help improve the school’s services and education quality.

“The fee increase will help us improve infrastructure, staff salary and technology. This will ultimately help the students and improve the quality of education”.