Dubai school closure: Parents OK with payback

Dubai - Parents finally receive refund intimation.

Update: Parents of Delhi Private School (DPS) Academy in Dubai have confirmed receiving the official school notification at 12.45pm today, adding that they are happy with the outcome.

Amit Singh, whose son is in Grade 7, said he "received [the official refund notification from school] at 12.45pm. Help from KHDA and pressure from parents worked well to resolve the issue. I am happy with outcome."

Another parent of two DPSA students said: "This is all we wanted, we appreciate the efforts of Kothari [Dinesh Kothari, pro vice-chairman and managing director of DPSA] and the school in reaching such an amicable resolve."

However not all are happy with the decision.

The circular stated that only students who had applied for transfer to another school on or before October 26 would be eligible for refunds.

Pooja Purohit, who has a child in Grade 5 told Khaleej Times, it is unfair.

"I submitted my application for transfer at 1.30pm on Wednesday but the school admin said they needed to speak to management as refunds will not be issued for these applications."

She called it yet another "delaying tactic" by the school to ensure they do not pay out money.

"We need time till the end of the month to make such a decision about our childs schooling. This closure announcement was broken to us so late."

Another parent, Tony Thomas,.said it is just "one thing after another".

"If you are offering refunds, then they should apply for everyone. They sent the email about refunds at 12.50pm on Wednesday but the cut-off date for transfer applications was 12pm. It makes no sense."

Earlier Story

Parents of Delhi Private School (DPS) Academy in Dubai have denied claims that emails were sent out by school management on Wednesday morning confirming refund of tuition fees for November.

Following a local media news report, Amit Singh, whose son is in Grade 7, said he's not received any such mail as yet.

"Neither any email nor any other type of official communication has confirmed this," he said at 9.30am on Wednesday.

On October 17, the ICSE-curriculum school announced it would be closing which left many parents and students shocked.

The management confirmed the school would be concluding operations in March 2017 due to "economical reason".

But following the announcement, Singh said 125 parents (who wanted to transfer their children to other schools by November) set up a WhatsApp group as they were due to lose out on money already paid for November's tuition.

And he said all members confirmed on Wednesday morning they are "yet to receive official confirmation" on refunds.

"We have all checked our mail and there is nothing there. My wife even checked the DPS portal called CLP but there is no news of refunds."

Another parent, John George, said the school verbally communicated to them on Monday that a decision regarding fees would be made within two days, but he said they have "not committed to anything" yet.

"I was shocked when I read this news that parents had received emails confirming refunds, but we are expecting news at some point today."

When Khaleej Times spoke to Dinesh Kothari, pro vice-chairman and managing director of DPSA at 9.45am on Wednesday morning, he confirmed no email has yet been circulated.

"No, it has not gone out yet as I am still drafting it but parents will receive news of full November refunds by today."

But he confirmed about 120 parents whose children will be leaving the school by the end of October, will be receiving funds of between Dh3,000 and Dh6,000.

Kothari also confirmed that all transfer certificates for students will be completed by month-end.

"Refunds will be given within about two weeks," he added.

A meeting was held at DPSA on Monday where Kothari informed parents that he had also entered into an agreement with JSS International School at Al Barsha for those unwilling to change to the CBSE curriculum at DPS Sharjah and Jebel Ali.

kelly@khaleejtimes.com

• UAE