From: Parents at Emirates International School Dubai

5th April 2020

To: The Management,

Emirates International School Dubai

Sub: Fee Reduction on Third Semester’s E-Learning

Dear Sir / Madam

In light of the existing situation, we, parents at Emirates International School Dubai, 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 EIS is demanding a full fee payment for the Third Term’s Distance Learning Program.

It is important to address that the online learning process 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, stationary, technology, not to mention the added mental strain and pressure of working from home simultaneously.

Moreover, Keeping the current situation in mind, that the Government has clearly created policies in place which gives the employers a choice to reduce the salaries appropriately. While we appreciate the school’s decision to pay its staff in full and we support it, but 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 EIS’ current offer of a Relief by way of some fee waivers, flexible payment terms and retained fee structures for the next Academic Year as mentioned in the last email is unreasonable, as this cannot be subjected to a handful of families, as all parents’ across the board are effected.

Over the course of last few weeks, we have seen businesses and companies suffer, families across the city are 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.

In light of this current situation, many schools in Dubai are supporting the parents and have announced reductions in fees.

As prominent education providers in the UAE, we expect EIS to lead the way by example and therefore, we collectively appeal to EIS to re-consider our request for a minimum 30% Fee Reductions for the Third Term ‘Distance Learning Program’. These are difficult times for all of us, and we hope EIS would play its part.

Your co-operation shall be highly appreciated,

Parents of Emirates International School