From:Parents of Gems Millenium School, Sharjah

4th April 2020

To:The Management,GEMS Education

Sub:Fee Reduction for First Term Fees

Dear Sir / Madam

In light of the existing situation we, parents of Gems Millenium School, Sharjah, 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 GEMS is demanding a full fee payment for the First Term Fees.

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, stationary, technology, not to mention the added mental strain and pressure of working from home simultaneously.

Moreover, Keeping the current situation in mind, 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, 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 GEMS current offer of a Relief Fund package is unreasonable, and cannot be subjected to just 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 taking the brunt of this situation- most employees are being laid off, forced to take unpaid leave or are facing up to 30-50% 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 GEMS to lead the way by example and therefore, we collectively appeal to GEMS Education for a minimum 50% Fees Reduction for the First Term Fees. For those parents that have already paid, we request their payments to be adjusted against the next upcoming term.

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

Your Co-operation shall be highly appreciated,

Parents of Gems Millenium School, Sharjah.