Thousands sign plea to slash school fees

THOUSANDS of parents have signed a second online petition demanding the Education Ministry slash private school fees as students are remote learning as part of measures to combat the spread of the Coronavirus Disease (Covid-19) in Bahrain, writes the GDN's Reem Al Daaysi.

Close to 5,000 people have signed the ‘Reduce Schools Fees for Term Three in all private schools in Bahrain’ since it was launched three days ago on change.org

According to the petition, the Covid-19 outbreak has forced schools into a whole new mechanism of online schooling for many students across Bahrain, and this has been a challenge for both parents and educational institutions.

“Online schools around the world charge a fraction of the cost of what parents pay to enroll students at actual campuses because the running cost is much lower,” said the petition.
“Parents, teachers, and students alike have all been wedged into this unfamiliar situation due to the world pandemic and was never the option we chose.
“We find it only fair that the Education Ministry reviews and considers slashing the fees this term to reflect the type of education offered to students now and considering that the parents are not responsible for the payment of the campuses’ running costs at the moment.”

The GDN previously reported that parents had welcomed a proposal by veteran MP Adel Al Asoomi to slash kindergarten and private school fees by 65 per cent.

He said charging 35pc of the fees was reasonable to cover expenses as operational costs will be reduced with children not attending schools.

A BD4.3 billion economic package was launched by the government to offset the impact of Covid-19, including a waiver on electricity and water bills for all accounts as well as a legislation to withdraw money from the Unemployment Fund to pay for the wages of Bahrainis in the private sector for the next three months.

The GDN had reported last Thursday that parents of students in various private and special needs schools in Bahrain had launched a petition on www.avaaz.org titled ‘Reduced School Fees during Corona Crisis!’, suggesting parents and schools each shoulder 50 per cent of the fees.

Meanwhile, a coalition of municipal representatives from Bahrain’s three municipal councils and the Capital Trustees Board led by Southern Municipal Council member Abdulla Abdullatif have called on schools to accept 50pc fees rather than demand the full amount.

“The government is paying the utility bills, has waived municipality and labour fees, is paying wages of Bahrainis in the private sector for three months and still we are dealing with private schools that are refusing to accept lower payments,” said Mr Abdullatif.
“Students are remote learning at home using Internet provided free by telecom operators and just for teachers’ efforts the school should accept 50pc fees.”

The councillor said the coalition was working along with MPs and Shura Council members to exert pressure on schools.