Parents and Guardians of the Waldorf Program – The Island School, Limassol
February 2025

To: The Administration of The Island School
Subject: Objection to Unreasonable Fee Increase and Ongoing Issues Affecting Our Children’s Education

We, the undersigned parents and guardians of students enrolled in the Waldorf program at The Island School, wish to formally express our strong objection to the recent and unreasonable increase in school fees for the 2025 - 2026 academic year. We believe that this substantial fee hike is unjustified, especially considering the current state of the school’s facilities and services.

The newly published fees for the 2025 - 2026 school year indicate an almost 10% increase, which places an additional financial burden on families. The following changes are particularly concerning:

• Registration fee: Increased from €250 to €500, a 100% increase that must be paid annually per child and is non-refundable.
• Pre-primary fees: Increased from €6,315 per year to €6,735.
• Primary (Grades 1-3) fees: Increased from €8,030 to €8,500.
• Payment Deadline: Parents were informed of the increase on February 4, 2025, and are expected to secure their child’s place by February 28, 2025—an unreasonably short notice period, especially for families with multiple children.

The school has justified this increase by citing inflation; however, the year-over-year inflation in the education sector in Cyprus is only 2.3%, making a nearly 10% increase highly disproportionate. Additionally, parents were assured that a 30% discount would be applied until a new campus is built, yet this increase directly contradicts that promise.

As of the next academic year, the option for half-day enrollment in Waldorf Primary 1 will be eliminated, making full-day attendance mandatory. This decision is fundamentally against the principles of Waldorf education, which emphasize family involvement, community engagement, and a balanced, child-centered approach. By forcing parents into full-day enrollment, the school is prioritizing financial gain over educational philosophy.

Key principles of Waldorf education that this change violates:

• Respect for natural child development: Younger children benefit from a gradual transition into structured learning, and half-day programs support their well-being.
• Parental involvement: Waldorf philosophy values parents’ role in their child’s education, allowing them to choose a schedule that aligns with their family values.
• Balanced learning: Overloading children with long school hours disrupts the rhythm that Waldorf education aims to cultivate.

Beyond the unjustified fee increase, we want to highlight several ongoing issues that must be addressed to improve the quality of education and ensure a safe, healthy learning environment:

1. Broken Promises on Fee Sensitivity: Last year, the school justified an increase by stating that it aimed to align all primary grade fees. This year, the same reasoning does not apply, yet fees continue to rise.
2. Inadequate Sanitary Facilities: Toilets are frequently unclean and often out of order, posing a health risk to children.
3. Unstable School Nurse Position: The school has been unable to retain a permanent nurse, which is a major concern for children’s health and safety.
4. Poor Food Services: The food provided in the cantina is of low quality, and there is no microwave available for children bringing meals from home.
5. Unsafe Drop-Off and Pick-Up System: There is no proper system to help children cross the road safely, putting them at risk. It is unacceptable that a newly built private school didn't make appropriate provisions for proper and easy access from the north side of the road. It is extremely dangerous and lacks any kind of pedestrian path to get children safely from the Café/Supermarket parking to the school. Blaming the Road Department and waiting for better times is not a solution when it comes to the basic safety of children. With the ambitious program expansion, which will cause more chaos at drop-off and pick-up time, no information has been provided on how the school is planning to accommodate the existing parking/access problem.
6. Unreliable Library Access: When the librarian is absent, the library is closed, preventing children from borrowing or returning books.
7. Flooding and Poor Infrastructure: On rainy days, outdoor spaces become flooded, making it impossible for children to play comfortably. The artificial grass turns into a waterlogged surface, indicating poor construction of the temporary campus (which has been in use for approximately four years).
8. Lack of Specialized Teachers: The school has yet to hire a rhythmic teacher for the students.
9. Unhealthy Classroom Conditions: After rain, a musty smell lingers in classrooms, even transferring to children’s clothes. Exposure to damp conditions can lead to respiratory and other health issues.
10. Lack of School Support for Community Events: All school events are solely funded by parents, with no financial support or reinvestment from the school. The school does not give back to the community, despite parents consistently sponsoring events and initiatives.

Given the poor learning environment, lack of investment in basic facilities, and an already high fee structure, we refuse to accept any increase in fees and demand that the school:

1. Revoke the fee increase for 2025 - 2026.
2. Maintain the half-day enrollment option for Waldorf Primary 1.
3. Address the urgent infrastructure and safety issues outlined above.
4. Ensure transparency and fair justification for any future fee adjustments.

We believe in the values of Waldorf education and want to see our children thrive in a safe and nurturing environment. However, the school’s recent decisions—raising fees without proper justification while failing to address critical infrastructure issues—demonstrate a lack of concern for the well-being of its students and families.

We stand united in demanding immediate action from the school administration. Until our concerns are addressed, we, the undersigned parents and guardians, refuse to comply with the increased fees.

Sincerely,
Parents and Guardians of the Waldorf Program

The Island School, Limassol