MPs table proposals to limit annual fee hikes

Manama : Parliamentarians will vote on two proposals seeking to prohibit annual fee increments in private educational institution in the Kingdom in their next weekly session on Tuesday. 

The bills, if approved, will allow fee increases in private education institution only once in every three ears. 

Besides, the bills also seek to limit the percentage of fee hike to a maximum of 5 per cent, according to the MPs who tabled the bills. 

The move follows a public uproar against a decision by the Education Ministry allowing a 5pc fee hike in private educational institutions with a “good” or “excellent” rating as an “encouragement incentive to their high performance”.

The decision drew parents, social activists and parliamentarians ire as several schools were quick to seize the opportunity by announcing fee increase within few hours after the decision was revealed. 

In light of the developments, the proposals were referred urgently to the Council’s Services Committee for review in the regular weekly meeting on Tuesday.

Committee members discussed the matter with representatives of Education Ministry in several meetings during the past three months. The ministry insisted that it’s closely monitoring the fee increment procedures. Labour and Social Development Ministry also issued a similar response.

It’s noteworthy that His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa issued directives on January 28 this year forbidding any increment in private educational establishments’ fees.

Few hours after the announcement of the Royal directives, several private schools informed parents that they are withdrawing their decision to increase school fees.