Dear Mrs. Ibrahim and Management of DGPS,

In light of the existing situation, we, parents of DGPS appreciate the Institutions’ continuous support and back the decision of the school’s closure for the safety of its students. However, we feel that it is unjustified that the school's management is demanding a full fee payment for the Third Term’s 'Distance Learning Program'.

It is important to address that the online learning platform is not a complete alternate, but rather a supplement to the Term Education. Parents have to put in more than 5-7 hours a day, assisting children to complete the daily assigned lessons, provide resources, stationery, technology, not to mention the added mental strain and pressure of working from home simultaneously while assisting the children in their learning activities.

Moreover, Keeping the current situation in mind, the government has clearly created policies in place which gives the employer a choice to reduce the salaries appropriately. While we appreciate the school’s decision to pay its own staff in full, we also firmly believe that this is purely an employer’s decision and responsibility and that the financial implications of this decision must not be passed on to the parents.

In addition to this, the children are not attending school for the entire semester, neither using the premises, utilities, facilities nor all extra circular activities which are now closed for the entire semester thus reducing the school’s costs.

We also believe that the management should consider the implications of the current economic and financial scenario, as all parents across the board are affected.

Over the course of last few weeks, we have seen businesses and companies suffer, families across the city taking the brunt of this situation- most employees are being laid off, forced to take unpaid leave or are facing up to 30% pay cuts. Most Businesses are struggling and commercial activity has now come to a complete halt. These are severely difficult times for all of us.

Considering these prevailing conditions, many schools in Dubai are supporting the parents and have announced reductions in fees.

As prominent education providers in the UAE, we expect DGPS to lead the way by example and therefore, we collectively appeal to the management for a minimum 30% Fees Reduction for the Third Term 'E-Learning Program' Fees in addition to complete removal of the transport fees as it is unfair to be charging these transport costs when none have been availed since March 8th and will not be used till end of school . For those parents that have already paid, we request their payments to be adjusted against the next upcoming semester

These are difficult times for all of us, and we hope the management of DGPS will play its part.

Your co-operation shall be highly appreciated,

Parents of DGPS, Dubai