Dubai School To Close After Hiking Fees

The Dubai American Scientific School (DASS) has been accused of “massive violations of the country’s education law” and is to be shut down, following a series of complaints.

The Dubai Education Authority granted a request to close the premises with the Al Quoz school not expected to reopen in September, potentially leavening around 250 students stranded at the start of the academic year.

The decision comes after it was discovered the school had charged some parents more than twice the amount of fees permitted by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA).

The revelation follows reports of the school illegally hiring teachers without formal contracts, failing to investigate pupils who had been absent for extended periods and tampering with some students’ files.

KHDA has said all the pupils will be transferred to another school in time for the beginning of the academic year – DASS had around 500 pupils – with 244 students already confirmed elsewhere.

DASS had been rated as ‘unacceptable’ by the KHDA since the 2008-2009 educational year, forbidding the school from increasing fees until it improved.

Amal Belhasa, chief of compliance and resolution commission at KHDA, said: “A meeting was held recently with the school’s owner, during which it was agreed the school will close in September 2013, providing all 251 children were guaranteed an alternative school place.

“Some 244 students have already completed the transfer process to new schools since the beginning of the 2012/13 academic year.

“We consider parents to play a key role in their child’s education and will continue to support parents with children at Dubai American Scientific School to find the best alternative solution.

“KHDA is keen to ensure all children have the right to a quality education and we expect all schools and parents to adhere to the guidelines set out in the new parent-school contracts.”