DUBAI // Legally binding contracts between schools and parents have been introduced at all of Dubai’s private schools for the coming academic year.
The contracts state the responsibilities of both parties and include clauses for fees, extra-curricular charges, attendance, dispute resolution and bullying. They must be signed before pupils can be enrolled.
They were brought in to 58 schools in 2013 as a pilot programme by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority.
“When schools and parents have a positive relationship, students benefit,” said Amal Belhasa, chief of compliance at the KHDA.
“We’ve already seen improved communication and fewer disputes between schools and parents. We ask all parents to read and sign the contract.”
Parents have cautiously welcomed the news.
“In theory it is a good idea but I haven’t been told anything about these contracts or the details in them,” said Razia Sultan from Pakistan.
“Transparency is very important and anything that helps with that, I fully support,” said Ms Sultan, whose 12-year-old son attends Gems Westminster School. “If they make clear what the responsibilities are for schools and parents then that is a good thing.”
The contracts also detail teaching days and holidays, and a breakdown of all costs payable by parents.
“This is the first I’ve heard of these contracts but I really hope they can make it clear from the start what the fees are so there aren’t any unpleasant surprises,” said Maria Gutierrez, from the Philippines, who has a 14-year-old son, also at Gems Westminster.
The contracts were developed with the help of parents and schools, the KHDA said.
They state that schools cannot require extra fees from parents during the academic year.
But if parents repeatedly fail to pay the required fees on time, a school may refuse to accept their child for the next academic year and withhold their progress report.
The contract also covers online and other forms of bullying, and warns both parents and pupils to avoid any form of defamation or intentional harm on social media.
nhanif@thenational.ae
How being social media savvy can improve your well being
Next time when procastinating online remember that you can save thousands on paying for a personal trainer and a gym membership simply by watching YouTube videos and keeping up with the latest health tips and trends.
As social media apps are becoming more and more consumed by health experts and nutritionists who are using it to awareness and encourage patients to engage in physical activity.
Elizabeth Watson, a personal trainer from Stay Fit gym in Abu Dhabi suggests that “individuals can use social media as a means of keeping fit, there are a lot of great exercises you can do and train from experts at home just by watching videos on YouTube”.
Norlyn Torrena, a clinical nutritionist from Burjeel Hospital advises her clients to be more technologically active “most of my clients are so engaged with their phones that I advise them to download applications that offer health related services”.
Torrena said that “most people believe that dieting and keeping fit is boring”.
However, by using social media apps keeping fit means that people are “modern and are kept up to date with the latest heath tips and trends”.
“It can be a guide to a healthy lifestyle and exercise if used in the correct way, so I really encourage my clients to download health applications” said Mrs Torrena.
People can also connect with each other and exchange “tips and notes, it’s extremely healthy and fun”.
In numbers: PKK’s money network in Europe
Germany: PKK collectors typically bring in $18 million in cash a year – amount has trebled since 2010
Revolutionary tax: Investigators say about $2 million a year raised from ‘tax collection’ around Marseille
Extortion: Gunman convicted in 2023 of demanding $10,000 from Kurdish businessman in Stockholm
Drug trade: PKK income claimed by Turkish anti-drugs force in 2024 to be as high as $500 million a year
Denmark: PKK one of two terrorist groups along with Iranian separatists ASMLA to raise “two-digit million amounts”
Contributions: Hundreds of euros expected from typical Kurdish families and thousands from business owners
TV channel: Kurdish Roj TV accounts frozen and went bankrupt after Denmark fined it more than $1 million over PKK links in 2013
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The Perfect Couple
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
Rating: 3/5
