The Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge has said no school may increase its tuition fees without prior approval, stressing that any request for a rise must be submitted clearly and accurately in line with the timelines previously announced by the department, along with any later amendments.
In its school fees policy, which all schools are required to comply with from the completed academic year, the department set out the basic conditions for standard fee increases based on the education cost index. These require a school to hold a valid licence at the start of the academic year, to have completed three years since beginning operations, to submit audited financial reports for the previous two academic years on the licensing system, with the reports approved and prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), and to file the request within the period specified by the department for approved fee increases.
Rules for standard fee increases
The department said schools seeking a basic tuition increase must meet four initial requirements. These are: having a valid school licence at the start of the academic year; completing three years of operation; submitting audited financial statements for the previous two academic years that are prepared in line with IFRS; and applying within the timeframe set by the department for approved fee increases.
It added that schools must submit clear and accurate applications if they wish to obtain approval for any fee rise, and that no increase can be implemented without the department’s prior consent.
Conditions for exceptional increases
For exceptional tuition increases, the department said schools must meet six conditions when submitting applications. These are: adjusted operating losses for the last two consecutive academic years, certified by the school’s auditor; an occupancy rate of at least 80%; completion of at least three academic years since operations began; possession of a valid school licence at the start of the academic year; submission of audited financial reports for the last two academic years prepared in accordance with IFRS; and a guarantee that no exceptional increase has been applied, in part or in full, during the same academic year.
The department also noted that the policy applies to all schools.
Private embassy schools
Private schools affiliated with embassies may apply for an exceptional tuition increase, provided the application is submitted on time and three conditions are met: a justification for the proposed increase is provided; approval is obtained from the board of trustees; and, where applicable, approval from the embassy or consulate to which the school belongs is attached.