The Education Cost Index in Dubai serves an important function, because it prevents schools from raising their fees without the approval of education authorities and it links increases to performance. However, the current system gives some established private schools an advantage over other schools seeking to forge, or turn around, their reputation. As The National reported yesterday, the Knowledge and Human Development Authority announced that schools rated as "outstanding" in the latest inspection reports will be eligible to increase fees by 4.8 per cent.
This is good for plenty of schools but doesn’t address the core problem affecting the education sector. How can underperforming schools gather the resources necessary to improve their standards and compete with the best if they can’t raise their fees? Without an increase in fees or outside support, it is difficult to see how comprehensive change can be delivered. Poorly rated schools desperately require investment to reverse their fortunes. School reform demands better management and, perhaps more critically, a bigger budget to improve infrastructure, hire better teachers and equip schools with up-to-date learning resources.
Several experts warn that private schools are expected to face even more challenges in the coming years due to rising operating costs and more competition for the best teachers. This means that without any additional support, these schools could also have to close their doors, which would affect the education of many children across the country.
This is not a problem that will solve itself. The reality is that even those schools that underperform play an important role in this country and will do for as long as demand for places outstrips supply.
The solution to this problem could arrive in several forms. The system this newspaper envisages is one in which poorly performing schools could be helped by teachers and educators who have experience of delivering change in schools. Additionally, financial assistance could be extended to underperforming schools in the form of a bond or loan repayable when ratings improve.
It is in all our interests that those schools that do not meet the highest standards are not left to fester and grow more distressed than they already are.
Company Profile
Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million
Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
About Krews
Founder: Ahmed Al Qubaisi
Based: Abu Dhabi
Founded: January 2019
Number of employees: 10
Sector: Technology/Social media
Funding to date: Estimated $300,000 from Hub71 in-kind support
Scoreline
Syria 1-1 Australia
Syria Al Somah 85'
Australia Kruse 40'
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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A MINECRAFT MOVIE
Director: Jared Hess
Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa
Rating: 3/5
TEACHERS' PAY - WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Pay varies significantly depending on the school, its rating and the curriculum. Here's a rough guide as of January 2021:
- top end schools tend to pay Dh16,000-17,000 a month - plus a monthly housing allowance of up to Dh6,000. These tend to be British curriculum schools rated 'outstanding' or 'very good', followed by American schools
- average salary across curriculums and skill levels is about Dh10,000, recruiters say
- it is becoming more common for schools to provide accommodation, sometimes in an apartment block with other teachers, rather than hand teachers a cash housing allowance
- some strong performing schools have cut back on salaries since the pandemic began, sometimes offering Dh16,000 including the housing allowance, which reflects the slump in rental costs, and sheer demand for jobs
- maths and science teachers are most in demand and some schools will pay up to Dh3,000 more than other teachers in recognition of their technical skills
- at the other end of the market, teachers in some Indian schools, where fees are lower and competition among applicants is intense, can be paid as low as Dh3,000 per month
- in Indian schools, it has also become common for teachers to share residential accommodation, living in a block with colleagues
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
