Dubai: A legally-binding contract between parents and schools will be introduced in all private schools in Dubai from September, the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) announced on Wednesday.
The Parent-School Contract was introduced in June last year to reduce disputes between parents and schools by outlining each party’s rights and responsibilities. The contract includes clauses on school fees, extra-curricular charges, attendance, assessment, dispute resolution and anti-bullying policy, among others.
The contract also includes details of the school’s most recent inspection ratings, its teaching days and holidays, and a breakdown of all costs payable by parents throughout the academic year. Created in partnership with schools and parents, the contract has been introduced in phases, allowing selected schools and parents to give their suggestions for improvements.
From the 2015/16 academic year, the contract will reach all new and existing private schools in Dubai, as well as hundreds of thousands of parents. Schools will only be able to finalise a student’s enrolment once the contract has been signed by parents. The legally-binding document also requires the acknowledgment of students aged 15 and above.
“When schools and parents have a positive relationship, students benefit,” said Amal Belhasa, chief of the Compliance and Resolution Commission at KHDA. “We’ve already seen improved communications and fewer disputes between schools and parents since the contract was first introduced. We ask all parents in Dubai to read and sign the contract at the beginning of the coming academic year, within their child’s school deadline for registration.”
The initiative, which was first introduced in six private schools, succeeded in reducing the number of complaints by 20 per cent.
The responsibilities of parents include attending all meetings, conferences and reviews related to their child’s performance and understanding that continued tardiness and absenteeism can affect the child’s enrolment for the next academic year.
The school’s responsibilities include informing parents of their child’s progress through regular reports and meetings, providing students with appropriate medical care and treating cases with confidentiality and promoting and reinforcing awareness about healthy lifestyle habits.
Under the contract, schools will also be expected to put in place a zero-tolerance cyber-bullying policy. The policy will ensure that parents and pupils using social media forums demonstrate respect for all members of the school community.
According to the contract bullies will be expelled from the school if it is proved they have bullied a fellow pupil.
The terms of the contract were influenced by best international practices customised to local conditions as well as extensive consultations with schools and parents. The document contains procedures for resolving disputes together with details of how schools and parents can appeal decisions.
