Graduation parties in private schools .. a condition of conditional with the financial capacity

Graduation parties are crowned the march of students after years of grandfather and scientific diligence, but the exaggeration of their fees imposed by private school departments, which ranged between 600 and 5,000 dirhams for one student, may be deprived of some to participate in it.

The students of students told «Emirates Today»: “Although education is a right for all, graduation parties have become a conditional privilege with the financial capacity in some private schools, which led to the deprivation of a large number of our children from participating in these honorary celebrations.”

On the other hand, private schools justified their position that the organization of graduation parties is very expensive, as it includes luxury halls, distinct meals, decorations, as well as attending important personalities, which makes the costs of the organization high, and thus increases the student participation fees.

In its response to the “Emirates Today” questions, the Knowledge and Human Development Authority said that “graduation parties are non -educational services (optional), and not an obligation part of the educational curriculum, which gives parents sufficient flexibility to choose what suits them in this regard, to remain It is up to consultation between school administrations and parents. ”

In detail, the guardian, Halima Al-Balushi, told «Emirates Today»: “I was surprised to ask a private school to pay the amount of 4000 dirhams, in exchange for the participation of my daughter who is studying in the 12th grade in the graduation ceremony for the last academic year 2024-2025, including graduation and photography, and when I reviewed the administration The school stated that the occasion is exceptional, and the fees are optional, and you have the right to accept or reject.

She added: “The exaggerated fees deprived my son, who was studying in the same school, of the participation of his colleagues with the joy of graduation three years ago, as it reached 3500 dirhams for the student.” AED.

She demanded a review of the terms of the parents of the parents, regarding the additional optional fees, with all the fees required by the schools under the supervision of the authorities concerned with the Department of Special Education.

She expressed its deep dissatisfaction with those practices that are frequently repeated on various non -educational occasions, under a fake cover called “optional”, without regard to the capabilities of financial families.

The students of students: Sama El -Shennawi, Hamidan Othman, Younis Al -Jubouri and Alia Al Ali, believe that schools have the right to organize distinguished parties, but without exaggeration in the fees, as they constitute an unjustified financial burden, and it is known that the fees for those parties differ from one school to another, According to several factors, such as the school site, its educational level, and the nature of the ceremony.

They said: «The graduation ceremony fees in their children’s schools ranged between 3500 and 5,000 dirhams for the student, and we tried to negotiate to reduce the amounts, but the schools responded that the payment is mandatory, and no alternative options, and in front of our financial inability we had to not participate in our graduation ceremony.

The students said: Ali Muhyiddin, Hamdan Al -Tunaiji and Lamia Hussein: “We were waiting for this day for years, but we were disappointed, when we learned that the ceremony fees reach 5,000 dirhams, and we realized that our families would not be able to pay them, especially since we have brothers and sisters studying In various education seminars, ”explaining that“ deprivation of the ceremony negatively affects the collective spirit inside the school, and creates a gap among students. ”

In their response, school administrators said, they asked not to mention their names: “We seek to provide a distinguished experience for students and their families, and the high costs are reflected in the quality of the ceremony.” He explained that “quality has a price, as the distinguished party includes high -end paragraphs, professional equipment, and huge halls that suit the event, In addition to providing graduation, photography and memorial videos, which raises The costs, however we are trying to provide flexible payment plans for unable to capture. ”

For their part, a number of educators, including Shaima Mohoub, Sami Alloush, and Rabah Madkour, were not convinced by the justifications presented by private school departments, as they see that schools can organize simple parties, and at the same time a distinctive nature, without weighing families with huge sums By choosing expensive places and more expensive equipment.

The educational expert, Dr. Bassam Makkawi, believes that the right is guaranteed to private schools to determine the fees for graduation parties, but on the condition that they are not exaggerated, and it must provide alternatives to students who cannot pay, such as parties inside the school, or sharing costs with parents, so that they are within reach everyone.

He said: “Most schools impose these fees as a condition for participation, which raises widespread controversy over the extent of their commitment to the principles of transparency and justice,” stressing the importance of schools taking into account the financial situation of families, as simple graduation parties can be organized but with a deep meaning, and they move away from the high costs that exhaust parents.

Tribes and students have suggested holding another ceremony with symbolic costs inside the school, not to deprive students who are unable to participate in luxury parties, and not to distinguish between students.

They demanded the involvement of parents in decision -making regarding the organization of the ceremony, to ensure its compatibility with their capabilities, provided that the announcement of the details of the fees before the beginning of the school year, so that families can plan in advance, or schools can create a special fund to help students who cannot pay the fees.

In response to the “Emirates Today” questions about the fees for graduation parties, the Knowledge and Human Development Authority in Dubai said: “Graduation parties are part of the non -educational optional services provided by schools for students of students, and they are not an obligation of educational services, which gives them sufficient flexibility to choose what It suits them in this regard. ”

She stated: “The private schools in their various curricula are obligated to clarify information related to graduation parties for parents, and to inform them in advance, while ensuring their suitability for Emirati culture and values.”

Students:

. Schools tell us that the occasion is exceptional and the fees are optional, and you have the right to refuse.

School managers:

. Quality has a price, and the costs of high parties justify the fees imposed.

Students:

. Hope is disappointed on the day we are waiting for throughout the years of study, creating a gap between the participants and unable.

Knowledge Authority:

. Graduation parties from non -educational services, and their participation in their family.