Tuition fees in Abu Dhabi schools set to rise by 6.6%

Tuition fees at private schools in Abu Dhabi will rise by 6.6 percent for the new academic year, Abu Dhabi Education Council said on Wednesday.The increases schools requested ranged between five percent and a staggering 208 percent, although only 40 schools out of a total of 60 who applied received approval, ADEC said in a statement.Requests for high increases were not approved, it added.Yousif Al Sheryani, executive director of the Private Schools and Quality Assurance Sector in ADEC, said it aimed to provide a "high quality affordable private education".He stressed that no school can raise its school fees without the council's consultation and prior approval.Increases were approved for tuition fees, compulsory school books and uniform, as well as transportation fees.The average school books rise approved was 5.3 percent while the transportation fee rose on average by 12.3 percent, the statement said.It added that uniform fees rose on average by 0.7 percent.The council saidd the application process "exposed the unacceptable level of financial management at many schools seeking approval to increase their school fees". "Council expects private school finances to be managed better and will be taking measures to promote their improvement where this is necessary," the statement added. From / Arabian Business News