Sudden school Pakistani kids Sevilla join Real fee hike causes test positive for in King’s Cup outrage in HIV after blood last 16; Barca Kuwait 2 transfusions35 thrash47 Huesca Min 10º Max 24º FREE www.kuwaittimes.net NO: 16363- Friday, December 5, 2014 UAE woman arrested for killing US teacher Terrorism suspected See Page 11 US teacher Ibolya Ryan seen with her two children. Local FRIDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2014 KUWAIT: Photos show Indian schools in Kuwait. A recent decision by the Education Ministry to raise the fees of Indian, Pakistani and Filipino schools has left parents angry and frus- trated. — Photos by Yasser Al-Zayyat Sudden school fee hike causes outrage Fees made retroactive, will salaries be retroactive too? By Shakir Reshamwala by this sudden hike. As it is our salaries are low and rents are high, so we cannot bear this KUWAIT: A recent decision by the Education additional burden,” she complained. Ministry to raise the fees of Indian, Pakistani When asked about the legality of issuing and Filipino schools has left parents angry retroactive school fee hikes, attorney Labeed and frustrated. Not only have the fees been Abdal delved more on its social aspect. He raised without any discussion with parents said the schools must consider the financial but they have also been hiked retroactive situation of parents and not use the decision from the beginning of the 2014-15 school to put pressure on them. “The schools must year, which means that parents will have to show goodwill and consider the effect of this make up the difference and pay that along sudden decision. The Ministry of Education with the third term fees. must be considerate too and not side with the At Filipino schools, kindergarten fees were schools,” he said. Abdal labelled the schools set at KD 492, primary fees KD 516, intermedi- private companies that look to maximize prof- ate fees KD 568 and secondary fees KD 590. it rather than provide an education, which Kindergarten fees at Indian schools were set should be their main purpose. “An amicable at KD 320, primary fees KD 356, intermediate solution must be reached and the decision fees KD 410 and secondary fees KD 460. At must not be a tool to cause harm to parents in Pakistani schools, kindergarten fees were set the middle of the school year. Ultimately, we at KD 345, primary fees KD 375, intermediate look for better education and not profits,” he fees KD 430 and secondary fees KD 475. said. Most parents were blindsided by this sud- den decision. “I have four children at school. Will teachers be compensated? How can I afford to pay hundreds of dinars in The new fee regime came along with schools that have hiked their fees retroactive- schools want kids to buy all books, even if a additional fees?” one parent asked, speaking another decision to also raise the salaries of ly will also raise the salaries of the staff sibling had it already and is in good condi- to the Kuwait Times on the condition of school employees. The salaries of kinder- retroactively as well. It remains unclear if tion,” she fumed. Other parents have com- anonymity. “What I cannot understand is why garten teachers at Filipino schools will be KD these schools will pay the backdated differ- plained that many private schools are now this decision is effective from the beginning 200, elementary teachers KD 250, intermedi- ence in wages this academic year. of the school year? We have already paid the ate teachers KD 275 and KD 300 for secondary using uniforms as another revenue stream. fees for the first two terms, so this extra bur- teachers, the ministry added. For both Indian Some have begun requiring winter uniforms Quality of education den in the third term is unfair,” he added. and Pakistani schools, the decision set the - for considerable sums including KD 20-KD A mother of three school-going children, salaries of kindergarten teachers at KD 250, 25 for shirts and pants and KD 2 for a pair of who also wished to remain anonymous, Money-Making Ventures primary teachers KD 263, intermediate teach- socks - which is unreasonable given Kuwait’s Many schools have deferred implementa- ers KD 284 and secondary teachers KD 341. blasted the fee hike as “outrageous”. She incredibly short and typically warm winters. tion of the decision until next year, but some Librarians, social workers, computer tech- also found the hike unjustified compared to Some parents, though, have resigned them- schools immediately sent circulars to parents nicians, accountants and nurses at these the quality of education offered by the selves to the situation. “The decision has been informing them about the decision, asking schools will get KD 250, while student affairs schools. “Teachers have stopped teaching in made and there is nothing we can do about it,” them to sign and send back tear-off slips clerks, treasurers, secretaries, storekeepers, class as they mint more money by taking pri- said a father of a school-going daughter. acknowledging the new fee regime. These receptionists, administrative supervisors, sec- vate tuitions. If the kids do not go to them, Abdal, the attorney, called for moderate schools are absolving themselves by claiming tion supervisors, data entry clerks, assistant they give them lower marks, and actually voices to prevail. “We must come together. that this is a ministerial decision and there is teachers and accounting clerks will get KD hand out the question papers to those who The decision must be reviewed to consider nothing they can do about it. 200. All these decisions are also effective from go,” she alleged. the pain and suffering of parents and not But a parent of two school-going children the beginning of the 2014-2015 scholastic “It’s all about kids being taxed and tough attack their capabilities. This sudden said many families are considering sending year, the ministry said. exam papers being set that do not help stu- change will badly affect parents and chil- their children back home. “The parents of 30 Schools that haven’t raised their fees told dents achieve anything. Modern teaching dren, as any decision should have come at out of 40 students in my children’s class Kuwait Times salaries will be raised along with aids should have lessened the need to buy the beginning or end of the school year,” he refused to send back the slip. We are shocked the fees next year, but it is not clear if the books that are very expensive, but certain told Kuwait Times. Local FRIDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2014 Local Just kiddin’, seriously Spotlight Fueling expat woes in Kuwait From Dubai to Kuwait By Muna Al-Fuzai By Sahar Moussa [email protected] ast week I made a quick trip to Dubai for a day, and bought an economy [email protected] class ticket. It cost me around KD 50. I was not being miserly or cheap, as I Lthink flying first or business class for a short distance is showing off, which I hate to do. I believe all the fun and action is happening in the economy class with its great mix of people of all ages, backgrounds and stories too! his week I received many emails from peo- the price of petrol and diesel because of fuel Where else would you find people occasionally fighting over bathrooms, ple, commenting on my column last week smuggling? While expats are wondering how to seats and the cheap, cold meals? Can you think of any other place where people Ttitled ‘Another expat in Kuwait’. Needless to react to this latest development, citizens have can and will talk to complete strangers other than a plane? Where else would say, I was really touched. Many people sent me nothing to worry about. According to sources, a you learn about human behaviors under the stress of waiting and anxiety? letters and shared their stories, problems and meeting was held with a PACI official to discuss Where else would you find the scene of people with big bellies trying to squeeze experiences as expats eking out a living in Kuwait. means to provide citizens with petrol subsidies themselves in tiny economy seats and yet seem relaxed? and the idea of providing them with KD 30 in sub- On economy class, especially when flying to Dubai, you can easily find and These emotional emails only made me wish and chat with workers and maids who are being sent back home on vacation or for hope harder for things to change. As I see it, sidies every month was also floated. In all fairness, good. This is a golden chance for them to talk openly and freely with anyone things are changing indeed - but for the worse. this is fine because at the end of the day, this is about their sponsors and what they experienced in Kuwait at the hands of How I wish it was for the better. their country. But is it right to put expats in the fir- Kuwaitis and expatriates too, as not only Kuwaitis have maids, but rich expats are One of the biggest changes that is set to take ing line just because Kuwait cannot combat smug- also allowed to sponsor maids and some of them are really mean and nasty. place early next year concerns gasoline. The prices gling? If fuel costs more, it will have a domino I believe that listening to these people interprets the real image they will hold about Kuwait all their lives and transfer it to their families too - good or bad.