Ways to end school fee problems

With many families unable to pay school fees, a way to meet their debts must be addressed

The situation at Sheikh Rashid Al Maktoum Pakistani School in Dubai highlights a worrying trend in primary education. Sarah Dea / The National

The situation at Sheikh Rashid Al Maktoum Pakistani School in Dubai highlights a worrying trend. As The National reported yesterday, many families have been unable to pay their school fees. According to the school's former principal, Dr Abdur Bangash, who resigned this month, families owe the school almost half a million dirhams in unpaid fees, with the parents of around a third of the school's 1,406 pupils falling behind on their payments. Some families told him that they have approached local charities to help pay their debts to the school.

Unfortunately, this reflects the reality for many families. Although the school’s fees are relatively low – Dh270 to Dh355 a month – many parents have found themelves battling against rising living costs, flat or low wage increases, uncertain job prospects and, in some cases, protracted periods of unemployment. In such a scenario, outstanding fees tend to go to the bottom of the pile – particularly as this school adopted a commendable and compassionate policy of not expelling pupils over unpaid dues.

Nor is this issue restricted to this school, but is rather one that can be seen in the wider society. The core issue is too complicated to be fixed by a single solution. There are a few ways to address the problem, involving education and HR departments, schools and the wider community. One way could be to introduce education allowances for all workers, not just higher paid individuals. This would make it easier for those who want to have their children living with them in this country and for their youngsters to benefit from a better education than they might have in their home country.

Schools could also run scholarship schemes targeting bright students from low-income families. Academic institutions and parents might also seek to work constructively with each other to establish suitable and realistic payment plans.

The wider community can also play its part. Prominent business figures could contribute in solving the problem by offering “angel” investment in community schools as part of their social responsibility. It is in nobody’s interests if any school is forced to close its doors because of unpaid fees.