المملكة: Advance notice of fees and a binding contract.. Parents’ rights in private education

Revealed The Consumer Protection Association has announced a comprehensive and integrated package of rights and procedures that regulate the relationship between beneficiaries, especially parents, and the Ministry of Education, with the aim of enhancing transparency and controlling practices within the private and foreign education sector, and ensuring a safe and disciplined educational environment that protects the rights of students and their families.

These controls come within the framework of the concerned authorities’ keenness to regulate the contractual, financial and educational relationship between schools and parents, in order to achieve a balance between the quality of educational services and protecting the consumer from any practices that may affect His rights.

Confirmed The Associationis one of the most prominent rights of the parent, as a consumer of the educational service, to be notified in advance of any increase in tuition fees by the school.

This includes the necessity of informing him of any decision related to amending the fees approved by the Ministry before the end of the academic year, and in accordance with the time period specified in the regulations organizing private schools.

It explained that schools are obligated, after obtaining the Ministry of Education’s approval of fees, to formally notify parents before the end of the academic year.

And in If this procedure is not adhered to, the school will be dealt with in accordance with the penalties stipulated in Article Eleven of the Regulating Rules, ensuring that the guardian is not burdened with unannounced or sudden financial burdens.

Controls were tightened on The guardian’s right to conclude an official contract with the school, and to review all its conditions before signing, while emphasizing that the student is not considered a party to this contract. This contract is considered the only legal reference in the event of any dispute arising between the two parties.

The rules stipulate that the collection of tuition fees must be carried out exclusively according to this contract, in a way that enhances transparency, limits any irregular financial practices, and ensures the preservation of the rights of all parties.

With regard to grievance rights, the association clarified that the guardian has the right to file a complaint through the private education portal in the event of any unapproved increase in tuition fees.

The subcommittees in the education departments are responsible for studying these grievances and issuing decisions regarding them, while notifying both the guardian and the school of the result of considering the request.

The regulating rules stressed a set of basic obligations that schools must adhere to towards students, foremost of which is respecting the religious and moral values of the Kingdom, and providing an educational environment that is compatible with these values.

The controls included the need for the school location to be suitable and safe, and far from any negative influences that may affect its educational mission, in addition to the requirement that the buildings be safe and meet all approved health standards.

The rules obligated schools to provide adequate educational furniture and equipment, And creating an appropriate environment that helps achieve the objectives of the educational process, thus enhancing the quality of education provided.

With regard to organizing the educational process in terms of separation between the sexes, the controls confirmed that schools should be designated for one sex only, with specific exceptions, the most prominent of which is allowing kindergartens to mix in accordance with the applicable regulations, as well as accepting students with disabilities in the primary stage in girls’ schools according to precise controls, which include determining the age and admission mechanism, and allocating non-mixed classes for them.

Among the basic rights, the rules obligated schools to determine tuition fees for the next year no less than three months before the start of the academic year, while prohibiting amending or increasing these fees during the academic year, which gives parents a clear view of the costs and enables them to make early financial planning.

The controls approved the right of parents to representation within the governing boards of foreign schools, which are formed to look after the interests of the school, where they have an active role in these boards, with the right of the Ministry of Education to attend its meetings, in a way that enhances oversight and balance in decision-making.

With regard to curricula, the rules stressed the need for private schools that follow different curricula to achieve a level similar to government education curricula in the subjects of religious sciences, the Arabic language, and social studies, with the exception of schools designated for foreign communities, in order to ensure the preservation of national and cultural identity.

They stressed the obligation of foreign schools to teach components of national identity, in a way that enhances belonging among students.

With regard to educational materials, the rules prohibited the production or marketing of any educational materials that conflict with the provisions of Islamic Sharia, the general policy of the state, or applicable regulations, or violate education policy, or provide direct solutions to textbook exercises.

It required producers and publishers of educational materials to obtain a qualification certificate and an official license before starting production, to ensure the quality of the content and its compliance with the approved standards.

The controls included emphasizing the right of illiterate citizens, especially those under the age of 45, to enroll in literacy programs, while providing free studies, books, and educational tools, in addition to providing the opportunity for volunteers to participate in these programs.

Companies in the private sector were obligated to contribute to eradicating the illiteracy of their employees, within the framework of social responsibility and promoting human development.

With regard to private education, the rules stressed the necessity of obtaining an official license to open or close special education schools, while ensuring the application of specialized government curricula, and the evaluation of students through specialized and permanent work teams.

They stressed that students who suffer from learning difficulties or hyperactivity are not obligated to enroll in private schools, in order to ensure their integration into the appropriate educational environment according to their needs.

In the context of oversight, the controls confirmed that private schools are subject to the supervision of the competent authorities, with the possibility of closing them. The school in the event of proven ideological or moral deviations, in order to preserve the integrity of the educational process.

It stressed the consumer’s right to submit complaints to the Ministry of Education regarding any violations, to ensure speedy treatment and taking the necessary measures.