Revealed: All you need to know about tuition fee discounts offered by UAE schools

On March 30, the UAE extended the distance learning programme – originally slated to end on April 4, with schools expected to resume on April 5 – till the end of June.

In the current environment of financial uncertainty as a result of the fallout of the Covid-19 infection, the extension of the remote learning programme prompted parents to seek relief related to school fees.

Read more: All UAE schools, universities to extend e-learning programmes until June

Since then, several schools across the country have responded to the situation by waiving tuition fees.

Education website Which School Advisor has compiled a list of educational institutions across the country that have facilitated parents by offering tuition fee discounts and associated ease.

• Al Najah Education (Horizon English and Horizon International) – 20 per cent discount
• Safa British and Safa Community schools – 20 per cent discount
• Next Generation School – 20 per cent discount
• Dubai English Speaking School – 20 per cent discount
• Dubai English Speaking College – 20 per cent discount
• Jumeirah English Speaking School – 10 per cent discount (parents can pay over three monthly instalments)
• Arcadia School – 20 per cent discount (further support may be extended on a “case-to-case” basis)
• Arbor School – 20 per cent discount (further 5 per cent reduction to parents that pay before April 11)
• British School Al Khubairat (BSAK) – 15 per cent discount
• Star International and Star International Mirdif – 20 per cent discount (credit note will be given to parents that have already paid their fees; payment plans to be set up for struggling parents)
• Capital School – Foundation stage 1, 61 per cent; Foundation stage 2, 35 per cent; Year 1, 33 per cent; all other year groups – 20 per cent. Admission and registration fees waived too.
• Taaleem –   Foundation, kindergarten, early years – 25 per cent; Primary, elementary and secondary, 20 per cent (the discount will be applied with 50 per cent immediate effect and 50 per cent credited against next term’s enrolment; parents can pay fees in three equal instalments). No application fees for new families keen to join Taaleem schools.
• The English College – Foundation stage 1-Year 2, Dhs2,250 discount; Year 3-13, Dhs1,750 discount
• Aldar Academies (Pearl Academy, Al Muna Academy, Al Ain Academy, Al Bateen Academy, Al Mamoura Academy, West Yas Academy and Al Yasmina Academy) – 20 per cent discount (parents can pay fees over a four month period; zero per cent interest monthly payment plan offered for the 2020-21 academic year)
• International Indian School – 30 per cent discount (additional 10 to 15 per cent discount for siblings)
• Dubai Heights Academy – 10 per cent ( parents can pay over three months)
• Al Salam Private School and Al Salam Community School – Foundation stage, 20 per cent; Year 1-3, 15 per cent; Year 4-13, 10 per cent (parents may pay in instalments between now and the end of June)
• Fortes Education’s Sunmarke and Regent International School – Foundation stage, 25 per cent; Years 1-13, 20 per cent (for parents who have already paid, the discount will be deducted from Term 1 fee of the next academic year)
• Nord Anglia School Dubai – 15 per cent discount
• Repton Group (Repton Dubai, Repton Fry Campus Abu Dhabi, Repton Foundation School [Rose Campus] and Foremarke) – earmarked Dhs8m to offer “immediate relief to support our community by ensuring continuity of education for families directly impacted by the current Covid-19 crisis and unable to meet Term 3 payments”. Additionally, 15 per cent of Term 3 fees will be deducted from each child’s fees for the academic year 2020-2021.

Means testing
– GEMS Education – to offer discounts or deferments to parents directly affected by Covid-19
– Innoventures Education (Dubai International Academy, Collegiate American School, Raffles International School and Raffles World Academy) – to offer “personalised payment plans and deferment of fees.”
– Ambassador Education – to assess the needs of its parents

Also read: Covid-19: Schools at liberty to cut tuition fee; transportation fee must be refunded – KHDA