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Students can't be forced to buy uniforms from schools

AL AIN — Parents cannot be compelled to buy uniforms from the private schools where their children are studying, specially when the uniforms are available in the market, said Mohammed Al Hashmi, head of the Private Education Department in the Al Ain Education Zone (AAEZ).

'We know that some private schools charge high rates for the uniforms,' Al Hashmi said, adding that AAEZ would take measures to end the exploitation of parents.

Many parents felt that since the AAEZ and the Ministry of Education did not allow the private schools to hike tuition fees, the school managements had found other ways to make profits.

With the new academic year to begin soon, parents of students have been complaining that some private schools in Al Ain were compelling them to pay up Dh250-Dh350 for each uniform.

Manal Ahmed, whose three children study in a private school, said she had to pay more than Dh1,000 for the uniforms.

Some schools charge Dh250 for each uniform, while others sell it at Dh350. The cotton shirt, being sold for Dh50 in some private primary schools, costs Dh10-15 in Al Ain market, and a cap that costs Dh15 in the market is sold for Dh30 in the private schools.

A parent of one of the students in one of Al Ain's private schools, Nada Osman, alleged that the school's administration had ordered that uniforms be purchased from the school, though the uniforms are available in Al Ain markets at lower prices.

A resident of Al Ain, Ahmed Sultan, alleged that private schools exploited the students and their parents by selling uniforms.

Among the other cost-incurring factors were school bus fee and worthless excursions and activities.

lanamahdi@khaleejtimes.com

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