The cost of private education in the UK increased at its slowest rate on record this year, as demand from Gulf countries surged during the pandemic with parents seeking face-to-face teaching for their children.
Fees at British private schools increased 1.1 per cent in 2021, according to the Independent School Council’s annual census, compared with a 4.1 per cent increase in 2020, with the average annual fee for independent schools now £15,191 ($21,458) for day pupils and £36,000 for boarders.
Sara Sparling, education consultant and director of UK boarding school specialists Anderson Education, said demand for school places from families in the Gulf has risen significantly during the pandemic, with parents wanting to send their children to schools in the UK where they can receive a full-time, face-to-face education.
“We've seen a definite increase in the number of families from the Gulf considering boarding,” Ms Sparling told The National.
“I had an inquiry yesterday from a British expat family in Saudi who said their schools are not going to provide face-to-face teaching until January or February 2022. That will be two years of not going into a classroom, so they're now considering boarding.”
More than 530,000 pupils attend private schools in the UK, with almost 25,000 non-British pupils whose parents are based overseas attending boarding schools, and 644 of those from the Middle East. Separately, almost 8,000 British expatriates send their children to UK boarding schools.
While some UAE schools have offered a combination of home and school learning since the start of the academic year, schools in England faced two further lockdowns following the first shutdown at the start of the pandemic before pupils returned full-time on March 6.
As a result, falling household incomes, international travel bans and school closures made it difficult for private schools to justify fee increases.
“Independent schools have been very sensitive to the Covid situation, so when they switched from face-to-face to online learning last summer, they didn't charge the boarding fee with the tuition fee and many of the schools froze their fees for this academic year because they knew that families are finding it quite tough,” said Ms Sparling.
A total of 868 schools froze or reduced all their fees during the pandemic, the ISC found, with more than £1.1 billion of fee assistance provided this year.
Anderson Education, whose key market is British expats and international families based in the Middle East, hosted its 20th UK Boarding School Exhibition in Dubai in February 2020, just before the pandemic hit, at the emirate's Grosvenor House Hotel.
However, it was forced to postpone this year’s event until November due to travel restrictions between the UAE and the UK, instead relying on zoom meetings and online exhibitions to offer advice and guidance for parents looking for school places.
Ms Sparling hopes Britain’s traffic light system for international travel - which currently places the UAE in the red zone and travellers expected to quarantine in hotels on arrival - will change to allow more parents to fly in to view schools.
However, she said many parents are still willing to quarantine because they are considering their child’s education for the next four years.
“Rather than have teenagers home-schooled and not socialising and mixing academically with their peers, as they have been throughout the Gulf countries because of distance learning, once they were in school [in the UK] in a safe bubble with their boarding houses, it was actually a very safe place to be," said Ms Sparling.
One British, Dubai-based mother of four boys, who did not want to be named, sends two of her children aged 16 and 13 to a boarding school in England, while two remain at school in the UAE.
Her British boarding school will increase its fees by 2.5 per cent in the next academic year, despite her children missing large chunks of in-school education due to two lockdowns.
Meanwhile, her children in Dubai, aged seven and 14, have been in the school full-time since September.
"We did get discounts at the British school during the lockdowns. Last term we had 25 per cent off the fees for the weeks they weren't there, but my Dubai-based children have not been off school since returning in September, so they've had far better schooling from that aspect than the UK kids," she said.
Charles Bonas, director of the British Boarding Schools Show, said the UK’s private schools have been praised for the delivery of their home-schooling programmes during the three lockdowns in England.
"There's no question about the way the independent sector delivered the home-schooling programme during the lockdown," Mr Bonas told The National.
“It was generally perceived to be more effective than state schools so that is one of the reasons for the increase [in demand] for private education.”
Last year, the British Boarding Schools Show was forced to cancel its March event when the world plunged into the first lockdown. The company has also postponed its 2021 event at the Sheraton Hotel in Dubai's Mall of the Emirates, the 10th edition of its show, until September.
“We’ve still got a lot of families saying 'can you get us into a school in September'. Extraordinarily England’s gone from being the sick country of Europe last spring and this spring we're almost like a sort of safe haven for Covid”, Mr Bonas said.
He said international parents often jet in and out of the UK to meet up with their children for half-term and weekend breaks, however he expects parents to stay in the country longer to get round travel restrictions.
“Instead of coming in September and dropping off children and coming back for the first weekend, they will stay here for that month,” he said.
The Dubai mother said she will not see her UK-based children for four months due to the red list restrictions, after flying into Britain in February to quarantine with them in an airport hotel after the third English lockdown.
The Department of International Trade has since issued a letter reassuring overseas parents in red list countries that children can spend their quarantine in boarding houses rather than in hotels.
“This ensures that many more students can return to the school environment without delay. Furthermore, we have provided guidance to ensure boarding schools are aware of the arrangements that need to be put in place for quarantine accommodation, transport from the port of entry and testing for those students who are required to quarantine,” the DIT said.
Ms Sparling said most of the schools have 95 per cent of their students back in school this term, with some schools even hiring guesthouses for children to quarantine in.
Looking ahead, Ms Sparling said Anderson Education's next boarding school exhibition will take place in November, with the company forced to limit its exhibitors to 20 schools, from 24 normally, because of social distancing regulations.
“We're up to at least 26 schools so we're having to prioritise them to get representation across the whole of the UK,” said Ms Sparling.
More on boarding schools
UK boarding schools to focus on mental health in exam-free summer term
International pupils to isolate at English boarding schools, not hotel quarantine
First hotel quarantine passengers relieved to leave UK’s ‘Heathrow prison’
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Electric scooters: some rules to remember
- Riders must be 14-years-old or over
- Wear a protective helmet
- Park the electric scooter in designated parking lots (if any)
- Do not leave electric scooter in locations that obstruct traffic or pedestrians
- Solo riders only, no passengers allowed
- Do not drive outside designated lanes
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Farage on Muslim Brotherhood
Nigel Farage told Reform's annual conference that the party will proscribe the Muslim Brotherhood if he becomes Prime Minister.
"We will stop dangerous organisations with links to terrorism operating in our country," he said. "Quite why we've been so gutless about this – both Labour and Conservative – I don't know.
“All across the Middle East, countries have banned and proscribed the Muslim Brotherhood as a dangerous organisation. We will do the very same.”
It is 10 years since a ground-breaking report into the Muslim Brotherhood by Sir John Jenkins.
Among the former diplomat's findings was an assessment that “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” has “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
The prime minister at the time, David Cameron, who commissioned the report, said membership or association with the Muslim Brotherhood was a "possible indicator of extremism" but it would not be banned.
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1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
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Other key dates
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Finals draw: December 2
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Finals (including semi-finals and third-placed game): June 5–9, 2019
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Euro 2020 play-off draw: November 22, 2019
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Euro 2020 play-offs: March 26–31, 2020
Formula One top 10 drivers' standings after Japan
1. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes 306
2. Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari 247
3. Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes 234
4. Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull 192
5. Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari 148
6. Max Verstappen, Red Bull 111
7. Sergio Perez, Force India 82
8. Esteban Ocon, Force India 65
9. Carlos Sainz Jr, Toro Rosso 48
10. Nico Hulkenberg, Renault 34
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Abu Dhabi World Pro 2019 remaining schedule:
Wednesday April 24: Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship, 11am-6pm
Thursday April 25: Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship, 11am-5pm
Friday April 26: Finals, 3-6pm
Saturday April 27: Awards ceremony, 4pm and 8pm
Score
Third Test, Day 2
New Zealand 274
Pakistan 139-3 (61 ov)
Pakistan trail by 135 runs with 7 wickets remaining in the innings
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The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
Why the Tourist Club?
Originally, The Club (which many people chose to call the “British Club”) was the only place where one could use the beach with changing rooms and a shower, and get refreshments.
In the early 1970s, the Government of Abu Dhabi wanted to give more people a place to get together on the beach, with some facilities for children. The place chosen was where the annual boat race was held, which Sheikh Zayed always attended and which brought crowds of locals and expatriates to the stretch of beach to the left of Le Méridien and the Marina.
It started with a round two-storey building, erected in about two weeks by Orient Contracting for Sheikh Zayed to use at one these races. Soon many facilities were planned and built, and members were invited to join.
Why it was called “Nadi Al Siyahi” is beyond me. But it is likely that one wanted to convey the idea that this was open to all comers. Because there was no danger of encountering alcohol on the premises, unlike at The Club, it was a place in particular for the many Arab expatriate civil servants to join. Initially the fees were very low and membership was offered free to many people, too.
Eventually there was a skating rink, bowling and many other amusements.
Frauke Heard-Bey is a historian and has lived in Abu Dhabi since 1968.
The Voice of Hind Rajab
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ACL Elite (West) - fixtures
Monday, Sept 30
Al Sadd v Esteghlal (8pm)
Persepolis v Pakhtakor (8pm)
Al Wasl v Al Ahli (8pm)
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Tuesday, Oct 1
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Al Gharafa v Al Ain (10pm)
Emirates exiles
Will Wilson is not the first player to have attained high-class representative honours after first learning to play rugby on the playing fields of UAE.
Jonny Macdonald
Abu Dhabi-born and raised, the current Jebel Ali Dragons assistant coach was selected to play for Scotland at the Hong Kong Sevens in 2011.
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Having started rugby by chance when the Jumeirah College team were short of players, he later won the World Under 20 Championship with England.
Devante Onojaife
Followed older brother Jordan into England age-group rugby, as well as the pro game at Northampton Saints, but recently switched allegiance to Scotland.
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Other workplace saving schemes
- The UAE government announced a retirement savings plan for private and free zone sector employees in 2023.
- Dubai’s savings retirement scheme for foreign employees working in the emirate’s government and public sector came into effect in 2022.
- National Bonds unveiled a Golden Pension Scheme in 2022 to help private-sector foreign employees with their financial planning.
- In April 2021, Hayah Insurance unveiled a workplace savings plan to help UAE employees save for their retirement.
- Lunate, an Abu Dhabi-based investment manager, has launched a fund that will allow UAE private companies to offer employees investment returns on end-of-service benefits.
ZIMBABWE V UAE, ODI SERIES
All matches at the Harare Sports Club:
1st ODI, Wednesday - Zimbabwe won by 7 wickets
2nd ODI, Friday, April 12
3rd ODI, Sunday, April 14
4th ODI, Tuesday, April 16
UAE squad: Mohammed Naveed (captain), Rohan Mustafa, Ashfaq Ahmed, Shaiman Anwar, Mohammed Usman, CP Rizwan, Chirag Suri, Mohammed Boota, Ghulam Shabber, Sultan Ahmed, Imran Haider, Amir Hayat, Zahoor Khan, Qadeer Ahmed
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Pharaoh's curse
British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.
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GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
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Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
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Infiniti QX80 specs
Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6
Power: 450hp
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RACE CARD
4pm Al Bastakiya – Listed (TB) $150,000 (Dirt) 1,900m
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Will the pound fall to parity with the dollar?
The idea of pound parity now seems less far-fetched as the risk grows that Britain may split away from the European Union without a deal.
Rupert Harrison, a fund manager at BlackRock, sees the risk of it falling to trade level with the dollar on a no-deal Brexit. The view echoes Morgan Stanley’s recent forecast that the currency can plunge toward $1 (Dh3.67) on such an outcome. That isn’t the majority view yet – a Bloomberg survey this month estimated the pound will slide to $1.10 should the UK exit the bloc without an agreement.
New Prime Minister Boris Johnson has repeatedly said that Britain will leave the EU on the October 31 deadline with or without an agreement, fuelling concern the nation is headed for a disorderly departure and fanning pessimism toward the pound. Sterling has fallen more than 7 per cent in the past three months, the worst performance among major developed-market currencies.
“The pound is at a much lower level now but I still think a no-deal exit would lead to significant volatility and we could be testing parity on a really bad outcome,” said Mr Harrison, who manages more than $10 billion in assets at BlackRock. “We will see this game of chicken continue through August and that’s likely negative for sterling,” he said about the deadlocked Brexit talks.
The pound fell 0.8 per cent to $1.2033 on Friday, its weakest closing level since the 1980s, after a report on the second quarter showed the UK economy shrank for the first time in six years. The data means it is likely the Bank of England will cut interest rates, according to Mizuho Bank.
The BOE said in November that the currency could fall even below $1 in an analysis on possible worst-case Brexit scenarios. Options-based calculations showed around a 6.4 per cent chance of pound-dollar parity in the next one year, markedly higher than 0.2 per cent in early March when prospects of a no-deal outcome were seemingly off the table.
Bloomberg
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Tips to keep your car cool
- Place a sun reflector in your windshield when not driving
- Park in shaded or covered areas
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- Pick light interiors - choose colours such as beige and cream for seats and dashboard furniture
- Avoid leather interiors as these absorb more heat
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Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
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Ashes 2019 schedule
August 1-5: First Test, Edgbaston
August 14-18: Second Test, Lord's
August 22-26: Third Test, Headingley
September 4-8: Fourth Test, Old Trafford
September 12-16: Fifth Test, Oval
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Profile
Name: Carzaty
Founders: Marwan Chaar and Hassan Jaffar
Launched: 2017
Employees: 22
Based: Dubai and Muscat
Sector: Automobile retail
Funding to date: $5.5 million
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January 24 – First T20, Lahore
January 25 – Second T20, Lahore
January 27 – Third T20, Lahore
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April 3 – One-off ODI, Karachi
April 5-9 – Second Test, Karachi
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