Ministry of Education’s Department of Special Education decreed last week that private schools cannot compel students to buy their uniforms and books from specific vendors. This followed numerous complaints by parents that private schools were forcing them to purchase all books and uniforms from specific vendors at exorbitant costs.
The department’s Controller of Financial Affairs Hamid Al-Shammari, said in a statement that private schools are not allowed to collect any fees or other expenses other than the approved tuition fees without prior approval from the Ministry, based on rules and regulations.
Al-Shammari also stressed that students are not required to purchase books, school uniforms, or pay for electronic or transportation services. He added that private schools are not allowed to collect any additional fees for tuition, and that violating schools will face applicable penalties.
He reported that one of the schools in question was contacted and informed of the complaints against their increase in the price of school uniforms, and forcing parents to buy them. The school then retracted their decision in this matter and left the freedom of choice on where to buy books aor uniforms on the parents., n.
Al-Shammari stressed that the ministry will not tolerate any school violating the regulations issued by the Ministry of Education. He warned that offenders will face legal measures once a complaint regarding the matter is received by the authorities.